May 16, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Ross Detwiler (48) throws during the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Detwiler cherishes chance to play in front of father
ST. LOUIS — Father’s Day will be extra special for pitcher Ross Detwiler as the Nationals face the Cardinals in the final game of a 10-game road trip.
Detwiler grew up in Wentzville, Mo., and pitched for Holt High, which is 45 miles west of Busch Stadium.
The 28-year-old lefty was able to spend the first couple of nights in St. Louis at home, and he will be able to see his dad, Rick, before and after the game Sunday. Detwiler doesn’t remember the last time he saw his dad on Father’s Day. Read full article here.
Nationals expect Ramos back after 15 days
ST. LOUIS — Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos is on track to come off the 15-day disabled list as soon as he is eligible, according to manager Matt Williams.
Ramos was placed on the DL with a strained hamstring on Wednesday. The catcher took some swings before the Nationals’ game against the Cardinals on Saturday, but he was limited.
“He can still hit and he can still do that type of stuff, and it’s not going to affect him too much,” Williams said. “We figured we would give him the rest of the road trip to rest and not do anything. We’ll start to strengthen when we get home. That will start Monday actually, and then we’ll get going on making sure that he gets on the field and hits and getting him in some games somewhere and he’ll be ready in 15 [days]. That’s the plan.” Read full article here.
Bryce Harper to swing bat, play catch next week
Bryce Harper will grip a bat and take light dry swings next week when the Nationals return from their road trip, in addition to playing light catch, according to Nationals Manager Matt Williams. It will be the first time Harper, who has been on the disabled list since April 26 and underwent surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, has swung a bat or played catch.
Harper has been strengthening his thumb over the past several weeks. When he has played catch, a trainer caught the ball, flipped it to him and Harper threw it. Now, Harper will catch the ball in his glove hand, which underwent surgery, and get accustomed to the ball hitting him there again. Harper will also hold a bat in his hands, begin to get the feel for his grip back and take light swings, Williams said. Read full article here.