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The Nationals open a three-game series tonight at Coors Field, but attention once again will be on Bryce Harper, who is back with the team after yesterday's examination in Pensacola, Fla., with noted orthopedist James Andrews. Davey Johnson will be giving the full update on Harper during his pregame media session (which should come around 6:30 p.m. EDT) but I can tell you (via a source close to Harper) that he has not undergone any type of surgery and any concern about that photo of him wearing a knee brace is "probably overblown."
As for tonight's game, Dan Haren gets the start, trying to bounce back from a ragged start against the Mets and trying to get the Nationals back over the .500 mark. Enjoy the game and the conversation here...
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at COLORADO ROCKIES
Where: Coors Field
Gametime: 8:40 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 183
Weather: Clear, 86 degrees, Wind 15 mph out to RF
NATIONALS (31-31)
CF Denard Span
LF Roger Bernadina
3B Ryan Zimmerman
RF Jayson Werth
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
2B Anthony Rendon
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Dan Haren
ROCKIES (34-30)
CF Dexter Fowler
3B Nolan Arenado
LF Carlos Gonzalez
SS Troy Tulowitzki
1B Todd Helton
C Wilin Rosario
RF Tyler Colvin
2B D.J. LeMahieu
RHP Jhoulys Chacin
UMPIRES
HP Bob Davidson
1B Jim Reynolds
2B James Hoye
3B John Hirschbeck (cc)
398 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 398 Newer› Newest»So MarkMeister, are you going to do a media rehab down in Hagerstown or Potomic? LOL
Great, great, great to have you back, Mark. And don't discount the operation. Remember, a "minor" operation is when somebody else has it. It's "major" when you've undergone it. Great to have you back, at least at the home office. Can't file updates from a hospital room. Though, if anybody can, it would be you.
How's about heading over to Crystal City today Mark and interview Bryce Harper!
Best 19 are here and when the 5 injured players get off the DL the Best 24. 1 change to make.
Are they afraid if Tracy leaves he takes the Goon Squad T-shirts with him?
Crystal City? So he's *not* "back with the team"?
@MikeDiGiovanna No surgery for #Angels LHP Sean Burnett but he will be shut down for a month, won't pick up a ball.
There you go. No surgery per Dr. Andrews. Where is the indicative TJ that some were calling for?
Glad you're closer to tip-top, Mark.
If folks don't believe a moray eel caused the scar, blame it on a thresher shark, or Mary Ellen Moffat.
Sec3, my understanding is he flew to Washington to relax. I think they will send him on a 2 day rehab assignment once he wakes up with no swelling and feeling 100%.
GoSM-
As I said at the end of the last thread, maybe they're afraid that if Corey Brown replaces him he'll lose whatever minimal trade value he may have when he's raking in AAA, because he strikes out way too much against AAA pitching to even think about hitting major league pitching.
I'd give Brown a try too, because Tracy's been that bad. But those of you who hate strikeouts would absolutely despise watching Brown hit. No position player on the current roster strikes out as much as Brown. In fact some of the pitchers don't strike out as much as Brown.
Sounds like Dr. A wasn't in a cuttimg mood yesterday. Both Sean and Bryce escaped the scalpel. Now, lets see how long before Bryce returns to the lineup, with or without a brace.
Mr. Zuckerman: Glad you're better, but take it easy.
Anyone: Is Jhoulys Chacin the Rockies pitcher who took that nasty line-drive to the face off a Nats' bat (maybe Ian Desmond's) a couple of seasons ago?
No. That was Juan Nicasio.
Got it; thanks, DL.
Just look at the respective era's of both pitchers. And in Coors. Yikes. I hope someone has tied Bryce to a chair. And I don't ever want to hear again that he knows his body best. He is. 20. No he does not. He thinks he is superhuman. As do all 20 yr olds.
I don't know what it means, but I think Jhoulys Chacin is the prettiest name in baseball.
Strasburg pitching against live hitters now, it would appear.
Ooh, emdash-- you know how to make my day!!
bowdenball, I'm a realist. It's short-term gain and probably long-term frustration with Corey although he has had 2 big time pressure contact plays which stick in mind. He had that suicide squeeze in his 1st game and had that walk-off single.
If the Nats are in it in July, it's the big lefty bat off the bench that Davey needs.
embdash, nice pic and prayers given! Let's go Stras!
Pretty quiet on the Det side of things. I assume he is with the team?
Amanda Comak @acomak 2m Stephen Strasburg already completed his sim game at Coors Field. Threw to a few teammates. Seems he was still alive when he left the mound.
baseballswami, Det is with the team. If Ohlendorf is with the team, they are keeping under wraps.
JD,
Byron Kerr is reporting "shoulder fatigue" that does not appear serious for the reaon Solis was placed on the MiLB DL. Doug Harris says Solis has been working very hard with his rehab and could benefit from a few days rest.
Ghost-- The fans want to know. Time to unwrap!
Amanda Comak @acomak 49s The #nats signed right-hander Mark Lowe and assigned him to Triple-A Syracuse, the team announced.
Also time to find out Henry Rodriguez's fate today. Stay tuned.
swami, very true. Unwrap!
Mark Lowe. Hm. That's a weird dumpster-diving kind of move, though I guess there's no such thing as a bad minor league deal...
I thought it was Derek Lowe thought that was a strange signing.
My guess on Henry? The Angels.
Oh, Henry. I thought maybe Bo would have taken him by now. The Blue Jays picked up Wang, maybe Henry, too?
With all the call-ups from the minors Lowe is probably just to restock the system. When you release two pitchers from the bullpen it trickles down to the farm.
PDowdy83,
That's good news on Solis. This guy is an actual prospect and was going to be fast tracked to the majors before the TJ.
GoSM-
We're basically on the same page. I think the problem is not that Tracy is still on the 25 man as the LH bench bat instead of Brown, but that those guys are our two best options.
I do think Brown is worth a try, just because he can't be worse than Tracy has been, so I guess I'm with you there too. Plus all that whiffing could help keep the fans cool through the hot DC summer.
pwilly,
Yeah, the Syracuse rotaion is :Maya, Rosenbaum, Tatusko, Tora and Mandel. Not exactly prospects row and not a lot of taxi squad potential either.
MLBTR had some interesting Rockies numbers today in a post about Roy Oswalt's future with the team.
The Rockies are third in the majors with 317 runs scored. The team got off to a brisk start because it had a competitive 4.24 ERA in the first month.
The Rockies' team ERA has regressed badly, topping 5.00 over the last two weeks.
They can be had, but the Nats have to bring the lumber.
Welcome back, Mark. Very glad to hear that you are on the mend.
Bowdenball and Ghost,
Brown was in the top 5 in almost all offensive categories in AAA last year and yet he was not called up and used when injuries occurred. He was never really put in position to compete for a job in spring training and he also didn't do anything to open anyone's eyes.
The Nats talent evaluators aren't idiots. They must know he's a AAAA player or he would have been up by now.
What do you guys think about acquiring some one like Schirholtz (excuse the spelling) or Duda or someone of that nature? what if the price is: Matt Skole or Destin Hood?
Mark,
Had I known you were under the knife I would have said a prayer on your behalf last Saturday morning.
Get well soon and come back soon.
Going to be an unpleasant game for the players - currently 98 degrees in Denver.
Tonight should be win 3 of 10.
Though another poster think is loss 5 in a row.
JD, the Nats talent evaluators aren't idiots
Who got Paul.LoDuca and Chad Tracy and Henry Rodriguez?
Ghost,
That's harsh. Everybody makes mistakes. All these guys made some sense at one time or another.
Haren's gotta pund the zone. Can't walk anyone at Coors and he'll need the groundballs (which he can get).
I am so glad that Werth is not batting 2 over the last several games. It's just a bad place for the guy to be. They tote his OBP ability but that is a side effect of his strength, he's a guy who can hit 30 bombs, he's swinging for the fences and he's being oh-so-very handsomely paid to produce runs, not to bunt guys over and take some pitches so Span can steal, etc.
Also glad that Zuckerman is back on his feet with the coverage. :-)
How can it be 98 degrees? Wasn't it snowing about 5 minutes ago?
Werth doesn't have his good legs back. I saw that when Trent Jewett sent him home. Best he hits lower in the order.
I liked Werth in the 2 hole, but I like Rendon there better. I'd do Span-Rendon-Harper-Zimmerman-Werth-LaRoche-Desmond-Suzuki-Pitcher. Although I'm not sure I like Desi so far down. But LaRoche shouldn't be hitting 7th either. Kinda tough.
JD, I fire the person who got LoDuca. Oh that's right, JimBo.
David,
It may well end up this way next year but I think they want to keep the pressure off the kid for now.I think Werth may end up 6th or 7th when everyone is back and healthy.
Don,
Werth has hit over 30 HR's one time and it was in the Philly band box. He ain't the power hitter you portray and he isn't going to become one at his age.
JD -- Fair enoguh, but my point on Werth is that he is better suited to bat in the middle of the order, where he has had by far his best MLB success.
I think Rendon at 2 makes a lot of sense. He makes contact and hits the ball to all fields, he has ddecent speed and can drop a bunt -- and if he has to bunt it's not some terrible wsate like Harper wasting a chance to mash a ball into the next county.
While it's true he's only hit 30 homers once, he is capable of hitting a lot of doubles. In 2010, he hit 46 doubles. Last year he hit 21 in only 81 games.
Span is usually good for about 5 HRs a year. He hasn't hit any yet (came close against the Phillies). I predict he hits one this series, aided by Coors Field.
I agree with you Ghost!!!
But thank you for all the Nats fans that are thinking about Sean,he is a warrior
David Proctor -- the bizarre thing about that almost-dinger Span hit against the Phillies is that it went on a line well into the second deck (was only maybe a foot or so foul -- I was sitting right under its pathway down the RF line). It went so much further than anything else I'd seen Span hit this year, fair or foul, that it was jarring -- like, where did THAT come from?
Amanda Comak @acomak 25s
#nats head trainer Lee Kuntz said Bryce Harper had a PRP shot as well as a cortisone shot in his bursa sac during his visit to Dr. Andrews.
PRP = Platelet Rich Plasma
Amanda Comak @acomak 22s
The plan is for Harper to rest for one week and then the docs will reevaluate him. Knee was put in brace solely to rest it.
Steamer -- I have very fond memories of Sean reading "Green Eggs and Ham" to my then-10-year old daughter during the Nats' 2011 Picnic in the Park.
And I loved the way he had just straightened out his game from what was a couple of meltdown months before that by the simple step of moving his release point to the first base end of the rubber.
Harper tweeted"
Bryce Harper @Bharper3407 33s
"We should reflect on our eternal goals and not make hasty and unwise decisions.” –Robert D. Hales #Goodthingstaketime
Ross Ohlendorf officially starting tomorrow, Detwiler coming off the DL and starting Thursday.
Thanks Eddie I will tell him that he does miss the Nats fans
Steamer, good luck to Sean. Maybe we will see him next year in Interleague or the WS ;
It's interesting that Harper got a cortisone shot after initially saying he wasn't going to do it.
Maybe having a doctor like Andrews tell him it was safe reassured him? Hard to say.
Did they announce the roster move for Ohlendorf?
I'd think it's Karns since Detwiler is pitching Thursday.
I have fond memories of Sean Burnett reading 50 Shades of Gray with Clippard and Mattheus.
MZ - Glad you're back. I hope you take it easy for a bit.
this lineup: I'm okay with it. I'd like BH in there but reading down this lineup doesn't make me cringe.
Hey Doc Andrews, interesting to see your conservative approach with Harper & Burnett and I applaud you for it but where was that same approach with RG3 when he limped back on the field vs. Seattle on the colored dirt/sod they call a field at Fed-ex? still upsets me.
If you are watching pre game-- did you see Tyler facing right up to reporters? Taking responsibility. Having a great attitude. Willing to do whatever the team needs. How can you not pull for a kid like that?? Hope we see him again soon and he is hitting the cover off the ball.
And as for Bryce-- of course I would love to have him out there. But I would like the team to break it's dependence on him. I would like him to know, and the team to know, that he is not the only guy on the team. Too much pressure. Could be a good lesson for everyone.
Swami -- well said. I agree completely. Good thought.
Hoping for no errors by Rendon. I know he's still learning the position, but against a team like the Rockies and hitters like CarGo and Tulo, you can't give them extra outs.
That goes for Ryan too.
GYFNG
Oh, Balkin Bob Davidson is the HP ump...
Please let it be the good Haren tonight
Oh, no-- it's Balking Bob!!!!!
David!!!!!
James Wagner @JamesWagnerWP 35s
Denard Span, playing his first game in Denver, looked gassed after running out a foul ball to right. Laughed pre-game about the altitude.
Something to keep an eye on?
Zim has hit a few doubles extremely far. Should be homers. Makes me wonder if the strength in his shoulder is good, but not quite all the way there. Of course, he hit 3 homers against Baltimore so that would seem to dispel that.
Really hot there, too.
Was that an actual walk???? By a Nat????
Hey folks... Just got home... Saw Zimm et all... What happened to Span and Roger?
Ugh, it would've been nice to at least get Zim in there.
Glad to see us being patient at the plate.... Please let good Haren show up.... *sigh*
Span ripped a ball that was about 1 foot foul. Had triple written all over it. Then he hit a ball hard to first for the out. Roger had a soft groundout.
Please be good Dan Haren today...
Span and Roger grounded out. So , don't get me wrong, I love watching the Nats, but I would love to have checked out the Gerrit Cole debut, which I thought was going to be on MLB. Rays and Sox. Guess they are hoping for another fight.
Bad BABIP or bad umping?
It hit the chalk. Bad BABIP.
Thanks for the answers....
Horrible luck.
Swami it was awesome first batter he struck out then his first time up to bat a single that brought in 2 runs
Dan Haren's fastball <. Stras' change up??
Passed ball on Suzuki. Can't be making those mistakes.
Good job Haren.
Steamer-- should be on tv!!!
*golf clap for Haren for that inning*. Hoping we can get at least 6 more...
Very tight SZ....
I am just hoping Haren gets through his outing without Balkin Bob calling him on a balk.
Oh yeah.... Welcome back Mark.... Glad to hear you are doing good (better)....
Another walk!
For you guys yes it should of but I'm in central Pa and watched it on roots sports.The bad thing the buccos get no respect
Swami, with the runner on third, I was terrified of a balk call scoring the run.
Another walk! Who said the Nats never walk?
Okay... So I didnt see Denard or Rogers's at bat but it seems as if everyone else is going good with their plate approaches....
And he's done 7 1/3 and the buccos 5 to 0
Good job Anthony!
Steamer- that game is a great matchup!!
Come on Rendon, elevate! haha!
No double play ball Suzuki.
So once again a kid comes up with a simple approach to hitting. Seems like eventually something or someone(ahem) ruins them.
Back to the Nats lets Go!!!!
Not a productive out, Suzuki.
Zook was safe!!!! Good call, blue...
Haren can hit.... Idk about bunting...
Well I'll be damn.... A good bunt.... Come on Denard, give me a hit baby!
Interesting at bat.
MrsB - replay disagrees with you but I don't.
That a boy Span! Small ball pays off at Coors Field.
Oh yeah baby!!!!! Go head Denard.... I love that man.... 2 out runs!!!!
Alright Haren, a shutdown inning here would be huge.
Whatever works.
Bryce Harper @Bharper3407 1m
I want to play already! Can't sit here and watch my boys out there! Miss being on the field! #DLsucks
I'm sure it's killing him.
I was hoping that D Span would hit his first Hr as a Nat and the season while at Nats Park.... But I would totally be okay, if he hit it this series...
This zone is extremely small.
Every time a ball is hit in the air, I hold my breath.
David - hahahahahahahah me too... Lol.... I was like oh stuffin, when that went into the air.... Lol...
*another golf clap for Haren for that inning*
Need about 5 more of thoses...
Let's add some runs now, 2 is nowhere near enough.
Adam seems to beat the shift a lot...
Chacin at 60 pitches already
make that 64
That's real good Mick.... I'm hoping we can get another 20 pitch inning next time....
And I'm hoping for a short inning for Haren, right now....
yup
Adam is a smart hitter. If they overshift him, he'll bunt or just poke it that way.
Good Dan through three. Now like to see Rendon's first dinger.
That may have been the worst at bat ever by Chacin.
*golf clap for Haren for another great inning*
Need about 4 more.... Thanks!
Haren has kept pitches low, hope he can do it second time around.
Wow. That was a popup and it nearly went out.
I thought he was gonna drop that...
Carp pulls a Johnny. says Suzuki throws him out. he meant Tulo threw out Suzuki.
how bout that!
Watching Dan Haren run the bases in the funniest thing ever.
Haren... Is.... Faster... Than...a.... Mustang.....
*snickers*
Chacin now at 79 pitches, 5th could be his last
Ouch Span.... Not a good at bat...
Davey said we were going to become aggressive hitting.
We have a little bit.
Alright we got Shark, Zim, Werth up next inning. Good opportunity to add some runs.
The 5th inning has been an enigma for Haren.... Hopefully, he will keep cruising...
Seems like it's hard to play 1b battling the sun right now...
Mrs B not great that time but great last time.
Fun game so far!
When are they gonna implement 1st base mics? I really wanna know what base runners and first basemen talk about...
Oh yeah MNF... I'm hoping Span gets his first HR as a Nat this series....
I really wanna know what base runners and first basemen talk about...
one of baseball's mysteries
Do we have any .300 batters yet?
Rendon might be close.
We did til Harper got hurt.
Haren knows *exactly* what he's doing so far.
I have to say, when Haren is actually on, he's one of the more fun pitchers to watch. He just goes out there and hits his spots and paints. Reminds me of JZimm.
Obviously when he's off, I'd rather gauge my eyes out than watch.
Haren 56 pitches through 4. Most have been low.
Per MASN broadcast, Rendon was at .293 before that last fly out.
Every time Haren steps on the mound or moves, I get nervous the ump is gonna call balk...
I've totally lost the definition of it, at this point...
Damn, didnt realize that was the 4th, thought it was the 5th...
*golf clap for Haren for another good inning*
Rendon
Zim ascended to I believe .300 even during his 3-hr game, then dipped back below in his final at bat.
Just a great play by Roger.....
Come on Zim...don't do that.
RZim has hit less double plays this year, but still way too many.
He hits the ball hard and runs too slow.
Jayson, nice slide, i think? is there a name for it?
Manassas Nats' Fan said...
RZim has hit less double plays this year, but still way too many.
agreed
If 2nd is open and a speedy runner at 1st, DJ has got to send that runner.... Zimm hits in DP's an awful lot....
We need more runs. I feel very uncomfortable with 2 runs in Coors Field...
As long as the hamstring is okay....
David - I'm sitting here hoping for a 4-0 game.... But I will take 2-0....
LaRoche not being very helpful.He has come up twice with a man on second. Then makes an out.
In between he comes up with no one on and he gets a hit.
Unfruitful batting
Matt Gelb @magelb 51s
I've never seen this. The wrong Twins reliever came in from the bullpen. He is running back and a new one is here.
That's hilarious and embarrassing.
Uh oh, Haren is suddenly missing up...
Uhm.... Haren, you aight?
Yikes that pitch to Colvin. Lucky it's not 2-2.
Okay, Haren, please bring it back down....
Of course. Knew it.
I just said... Bring it back down.... That is terrible....
so that is 16 gopher balls for Haren..anyone know the record?
It's the 5th inning... So you knew it was gonna happen.... He maxes out at the 5th more times than others..
Come on offense...
A good outing goes to...
Damn you Haren .
Walk then honer. The walk 0-2 to start with.
If he rattles then he is not a 10 year pro.
Keeping the ball down worked get back to it.
Oh, Haren. He had started so well. Keep it low, man.
Big cat asked me record last week. 50 by hall of famer Bert Blylevin
a team has to score 4 runs min verse Rockies in their park
The walk hurt... As most of them do... But Haren has been more on than off...
We need to get back to the good patient at bats and not leave runners stranded...
Manassas Nats' Fan said...
Big cat asked me record last week. 50 by hall of famer Bert Blylevin
or real? what year, Bert was a very pitcher...was it 1970-73?
Maybe Zook needs to go out there and talk to him... Cuz everything is back up....
Get the bullpen warming before Haren blows this thing open.
5th inning the killer for Haren and it's hot. Davey, get someone up. Please.
Now I'm pissed.... Totally pissed...
ABORT. ABORT ABORT.
I said it earlier... 5th inning, he maxes out... Never fails and is predictable...
ALR fielded one day well in the last week. Again anotherdouble play he gave away.
Davey, too slow. Too slow, we have see this show before. Should have had someone up already. Come on Dan, make some pitches.
bottom line, Nats need more than 2 runs a game to beat this team
When everything is down, it works for Haren... As soon as his pitches started elevating, you knew something terrible was gonna happen....
Big out...
You cant walk people here, and cant misplay balls like ALR.
that is a losing proposition here.
I thought Zook should have come out and talk to Dan after the walk...
maybe Haren can be a middle reliever down the stretch?
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