Josh Bard News

The Nationals did not offer arbitration to any of their free agents, which include catcher Josh Bard, right-hander Livan Hernandez, outfielder Austin Kearns, left-hander Ron Villone and first baseman Dmitri Young.

On the day that legitimately competitive baseball clubs were deciding whether to offer arbitration to their talented free agents, the only news out of NatsTown is that the team will not be handing out cash to the veteran free agent dreck that clogged last year's roster.

On Thursday, the first day eligible free agents can file, Josh Bard and Livan Hernandez opted to test the open market.

After having conversations with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo and interim manager Jim Riggleman, Randy Knorr has decided to become the manager of Double-A Harrisburg, replacing John Stearns.

With a 59-103 record, things were ugly again for the Nationals this year. But within baseball's worst record, there were bright spots -- and areas in which a large share of the blame wound up.

If one looks at Josh Bard's offensive numbers this year, they are below average.

Vazquez allowed a leadoff home run to Josh Bard in the eighth for Washington's only run.

What-if scenarios at this point have little utility, because Friday night's game is over, John Lannan lost, and that's that. Imagining what should have happened only aids the torment, because neither life nor pitching is fair, especially when a 101-loss support staff with worst-in-the-majors fielding comes in to lend assistance. There's a reason Lannan still has nine wins when he should have 12 or 13. If he had good support, Friday night's game might still be going, and Lannan might still have a shutout.

Sat Sept 26, 2009 4:34am EDT - Martin Prado tags out Pete Orr at second base. WASHINGTON - There's nothing complicated about what the Braves need to do in the final games of the season.

Javier Vazquez allowed a run and three hits in his third complete game of the season, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 4-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday night.

Richmond gets rare win Starter picks up first victory in three months as Blue Jays drop Orioles By Our Wire Services Thu.

NEW YORK, Sept. 18 -- As a major leaguer, Pete Orr has played second base, third base, shortstop, left field and right field. In the minor leagues, he's also pitched and played center field. But Orr figures that adding one more position to his repertoire -- yes, an eighth -- will help his chances of sticking with the Washington Nationals next season.

When the regular season ends, Orr will be sent to Viera, Fla., to learn how to catch. He will play in the Florida Instructional League, perhaps even catching Stephen Strasburg. ('Oh yeah, no problem,' Orr said, grinning.)

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Great, Good, Bad, & Ugly: Nats Lose Twice; 5-0 To Phils, Flores To Surgery "He should be ready for the middle of spring training, worst-case scenario." General Manager Mike Rizzo, on Jesus Flores prospects after labrum surgery, Sept.

Tim Redding held Washington to two runs and just four hits in seven-plus innings Saturday in the New York Mets' 3-2 win over the Nationals.

Ryan Zimmerman hit his 30th homer, Josh Bard drove in three runs and the Washington Nationals held off the free-falling New York Mets 6-5 on Friday night.

This was more like the Cole Hamels of last year. In one of his best performances of the 2009 season, Hamels was terrific in leading the Phillies to a 4-2 victory over the Nationals before a towel-waving sellout crowd of 45,210 Thursday at Citizens Bank Park.

This was supposed to be the season Jesus Flores broke out as an everyday catcher and solidified his place in the Washington Nationals' long-term plan.

The list of worst ballgames played by the Washington Nationals in 2009 is lengthy and painful to recall.

Stephen Strasburg is set to start pitching in the Florida Instructional League, a month after the No.

Baker homered and matched a career high with four RBIs, also connected and the Florida Marlins beat Washington 9-6 Friday night, dealing the Nationals their seventh consecutive loss and officially eliminating them from postseason contention.