District Daily: Nationals News 4/27
By Pablo Roa
Apr 23, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals manager
Matt Williams(9) removes Washington Nationals starting pitcher
Gio Gonzalez(47) from the game during there sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Checkout some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web:
Williams learning how to juggle bullpen
WASHINGTON — One of the toughest challenges for a rookie manager, especially one who was a position player, is figuring out the right way to deploy his bullpen. So far, Nationals manager Matt Williams has done a good job, although he’s probably gone to the ‘pen more than he would have liked.
The Nationals had a 2.09 bullpen ERA heading into Saturday, second only to the Padres in the Majors. But the relief corps has been busy — with 72 appearances and 81 2/3 innings pitched, the fourth-highest total in MLB. Read full article here.
Ramos feels good after taking batting practice
WASHINGTON — Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamate bone fracture, took batting practice Friday for the first time since suffering the injury on Opening Day against the Mets.
Ramos was able to hit grounders and line drives, but he didn’t display any power. That’s to be expected, as Ramos is still trying to strengthen his hand and wrist. He also had some soreness in the left hand, but he expects that to go away soon. Ramos should be involved in defensive drills sometime this weekend.
“I feel better,” Ramos said. “I’m trying to get confidence. My swing feels a lot better. I want to make my wrist stronger. I’m working hard in my rehab.” Read full article here.
Who had the worst week in Washington? Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper.
(Chris Cillizza, Washington Post)
The easiest thing about the hardest sport is the running.
Almost no one can hit a baseball thrown faster than 90 miles an hour with all sorts of spin, swoop and dip on it. Just ask Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth, who has said hitting a baseball is “literally the hardest thing to do.” However, running, and running hard between the bases, is so simple that even someone like the Fix could do it in our (brief) baseball glory days.
But twice this week, Bryce Harper, the uber-talented, famous-since-he-was-15 Nationals outfielder, couldn’t bring himself to sprint down the line. Read full article here.