Nationals Watch

Amanda Comak covers the Washington Nationals for The Washington Times.

• Strasburg’s day done after four tough innings

  Surely this isn't how Stephen Strasburg envisioned his first start against his hometown team. The Nationals' ace departed after only four innings Tuesday afternoon against the Padres, handing reliever Tom Gorzelanny a 4-0 deficit to manage. Published May 15 2012 · Comment

• Catching depth tested as Maldonado arrives

  Asked Tuesday morning about his plans for Carlos Maldonado, the Nationals' third different backup catcher in the last four days, manager Davey Johnson was succinct. "Keep him healthy," Johnson said Published May 15 2012 · Comment

• Nationals react: Quotes from the Nationals’ rollercoaster night

  There was a lot that happened Monday night. From Bryce Harper's first major league home run, to Sandy Leon's ugly collision at home plate with Chase Headley that landed the rookie on the disabled list with a high ankle sprain, to Craig Stammen turning in another superb outing, to the Nationals and reaffirmed closer Henry Rodriguez nearly blowing a three-run lead in the ninth before Sean Burnett came to the rescue. Here is some reaction from the clubhouse after a wild, to say the least, night at the park: Published May 15 2012 · Comment

• Harper hits first MLB homer in Nationals victory tainted by injury to Leon

  In the span of an inning, the Nationals went from celebrating a much-anticipated milestone, the first home run from 19-year-old outfielder Bryce Harper, to playing in a state of shock at the loss of rookie catcher Sandy Leon. From building a three-run lead to giving it all back -- and then building it again. Published May 15 2012 · Comment

• Nationals catcher Sandy Leon suffers high ankle sprain in collision, Maldonado expected to be recalled

  The Washington Nationals unbelievable run of injuries appears to have taken yet another unfortunate turn. Not even 48 hours after catcher Wilson Ramos tore his right anterior cruciate ligament fielding a passed ball, his replacement on the Nationals' roster, Sandy Leon, had to be helped off the field. UPDATED Published May 14 2012 · Comment

• Bryce Harper hits first major league homer, gets curtain call

  The wait is over. Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper hit his first major league home run Monday night, connecting with a 2-1 pitch from San Diego's Tim Stauffer and sending it to the grass batter's eye at Nationals Park. Published May 14 2012 · Comment

• Michael Morse targets June 8, Lidge & Storen begin throwing, Wang rehabs and other injury updates

  There was some good news coming out of the back corner of the Washington Nationals' clubhouse Monday afternoon. Left fielder Michael Morse, shut down from all baseball activities since April 11 with a torn right lat muscle, made some light tosses from 50-60 feet on Monday, manager Davey Johnson said. On Tuesday, Morse will be cleared to take some dry swings. Plus updates on Brad Lidge, Drew Storen, Chien-Ming Wang, Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos. Published May 14 2012 · Comment

• Johnson, McCatty rush to defense of Henry Rodriguez

  Brad Lidge watched the Washington Nationals’ game Sunday evening. He felt what they felt. He lived and died just the way they did. As Henry Rodriguez gave up a single to the first batter. As he issued two two-out walks to load the bases. As he forced himself to face Joey Votto. Published May 14 2012 · Comment

• After three-hour wait, Nationals-Reds tentatively scheduled to start at 4:45

  The rain has pounded on Great American Ball Park since late Saturday night but after a three-hour delay, the groundscrew here is getting ready to remove the tarp and the Reds are saying we will have baseball at 4:45 p.m. this afternoon. Published May 13 2012 · Comment

• Sandy Leon gets call-up, major league opportunity after Wilson Ramos injury

  The tone inside the Washington Nationals' clubhouse was a solemn one Friday night and Saturday morning as they absorbed the news that catcher Wilson Ramos would miss most, if not all, of the 2012 season to a torn ACL in his right knee. Ramos, a burgeoning star at catcher who has already endured so much since the end of this strong rookie season, is just the latest in a mind-boggling line of key players the Nationals have lost to injury. But next to Ramos' locker inside the visitors' clubhouse at Great American Ball Park hung a new uniform. Catcher Sandy Leon was called up from Double-A Harrisburg late Saturday night to replace Ramos on the roster, giving the 23-year-old his first major league experience. Published May 13 2012 · Comment

• Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos will require surgery for a torn ACL in his right knee

  Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos will require surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee, a diagnosis that will cost him most, if not all, of the rest of the 2012 season. Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Ramos will be “out for most of the year.” Published May 13 2012 · Comment

• Wilson Ramos to undergo surgery on knee

  According to Marfa Mata, a spokeswoman for Wilson Ramos, the Washington Nationals' catcher will require surgery on a ligament in his right knee. The Nationals are expected to address Ramos' status this morning. Those are the only details available have at this time. Published May 13 2012 · Comment

• Nationals to call-up catcher Sandy Leon in light of Wilson Ramos injury

  The Washington Nationals won't know for sure until Sunday morning just how serious the injury is to catcher Wilson Ramos, but in need of an immediate move to have a backup catcher for Sunday's game, the club is planning to give Sandy Leon an opportunity. Published May 13 2012 · Comment

• Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos helped off the field after twisting right knee (UPDATED)

  The Washington Nationals run of injuries to key position players may have taken another unfortunate turn. Catcher Wilson Ramos was helped off the field Saturday night by two Nationals trainers after he turned to field a passed ball and his right knee appeared to buckle beneath him. Published May 12 2012 · Comment

• Minor soreness in Gio Gonzalez’s right hand prevented him from swinging Friday night

  In his first six starts, Gio Gonzalez's hitting prowess garnered almost as much attention as his sterling pitching. So it was somewhat surprising to see the left-hander, who bats right-handed, not even attempt to swing on Friday night. That was on strict orders from third base coach Bo Porter and manager Davey Johnson, Johnson said Saturday, as Gonzalez is still getting over some soreness in his right (non-throwing) hand. Published May 12 2012 · Comment