Read More: Jayson Werth (RF – WAS), Adam LaRoche (1B – WAS), Jason Marquis (P – WAS), Rick Ankiel (CF – WAS), Nyjer Morgan (CF – MIL), Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers

Washington Nationals pitcher Jason Marquis has so far had a shaky game to start off Game 1 of a doubleheader with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Nationals righty has given up eight hits and two runs in four innings of work. In the fourth inning, he loaded the bases with one out, but was able to limit the damage to one run which puts the game in the Brewers favor, 2-1. Milwaukee also scored in the first-inning off a Casey McGehee RBI.

Marquis has four strikeouts, which now makes him the current Nationals strikeout leader in 2011 with 15.

Pitcher Yovani Gallarado has dominated the Nationals offense and has not run into any trouble, as the Nats have only recorded three hits against him so far. Rick Ankiel singled in the first and Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche singled in the fifth. Michael Morse was able to get Werth in for the Nats only run in the fifth off a sacrifice fly.

Noticeably absent from the Milwaukee line-up is centerfielder is Nyjer Morgan who is returning to D.C. for the first time since being traded to Milwaukee late in Spring Training. Morgan is currently suffering from a deep thigh bruise that will most likely keep him out of the starting lineup, but he might make an appearance as a pinch hitter if the right situation arises.

It is 2-1 Brewers heading into the fifth.

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Read More: Tom Gorzelanny (P – WAS), Ryan Zimmerman (3B – WAS), Wil Nieves (C – MIL), Nyjer Morgan (CF – MIL), Chris Narveson (P – MIL), Wilson Ramos (C – WAS), Danny Espinosa (2B – WAS), Washington Nationals, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers

By Jordan Ruby – Associate Editor

Read More: Jayson Werth (RF – WAS), Ivan Rodriguez (C – WAS), Adam LaRoche (1B – WAS), Ryan Zimmerman (3B – WAS), Livan Hernandez (P – WAS), Rick Ankiel (CF – WAS), Nyjer Morgan (CF – MIL), Ian Desmond (SS – WAS), Danny Espinosa (2B – WAS), Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves

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Mar 29, 2011 - The Washington Nationals will start a new season on Thursday as teams across the country celebrate 2011 MLB Opening Day. It will be the first chance to see some of the newest Nationals, namely Jayson Werth, whom the team signed to a seven-year, $126 million contract in the offseason.

The rest of the Nats’ opening day lineup looks like this, via Ben Goessling at MASNSports.com.

Ian Desmond – SS
Jayson Werth – RF
Ryan Zimmerman – 3B
Adam LaRoche – 1B
Michael Morse – LF
Rick Ankiel – CF
Danny Espinosa – 2B
Ivan Rodriguez – C
Livan Hernandez – P

Desmond, Zimmerman and Rodriguez are the only position players that played on a full-time basis last year. We already talked about Werth. LaRoche is (hopefully) the defensive-minded first baseman that Mike Rizzo said the team needed to get in the offseason, despite his shoulder issues. Morse was part of an outfield platoon last year, but has won the starting left field job with a strong showing in the spring. I’m not sure the Nats thought Rick Ankiel would be a starting center fielder when they signed him, but after the trade of Nyjer Morgan, here we are. Danny Espinosa had a very strong September after being called up to the majors, and he looks to build on that with his first full season.

Check out Federal Baseball for more on the Nats.

POSTED: 10:10 am CDT March 27, 2011
UPDATED: 10:30 am CDT March 27, 2011

The Milwaukee Brewers have traded for outfield Nyjer Morgan from the Washington Nationals.Morgan, who bats and throws left-handed, will probably compete with righty Carlos Gomez for playing time.Morgan said recently that he didn’t think he’d be with the Nationals on opening day.On Saturday, Nationals manager Jim Riggleman responded: “I’m disappointed that he feels that way, but I’m sure it’s based on probably him seeing two or three other guys that he is competing with.”Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said that had nothing to do with the trade.Morgan became expendable once it became clear that Rick Ankiel and Jerry Hairston Jr. would be platoon in center field. Ankiel will start for Washington on opening day.”Nyjer had a nice spring training. After the first week he did really well. He did everything he had to do, it’s just Ankiel winning the job, not Nyjer losing the job.”Washington received minor league infielder Cutter Dykstra and cash from the Brewers.Morgan stole 34 bases for the Nationals last season despite a .319 on-base percentage, and batted .253 with 24 RBIs.In 2009, Morgan hit .351 in limited playing time with the Nats, and had 24 steals.Dykstra is the son of former major leaguer Lenny Dykstra. He played third base for Wisconsin of the low Class A Midwest League last season, where he hit .312 with 39 RBIs and 27 steals. The second-round pick in 2008 also had a stellar .416 on-base percentage.Dykstra is expected to report on Monday and likely to join Potomac of the high Class A Carolina League.”He’s an athletic kid, he’s a really good runner,” Rizzo said. “He’s a good offensive player with a high on-base percentage guy and works counts. He’s really the type of guy that hits at the top of the lineup. Has a little pop and speed and really commands the strike zone.”

Nyjer Morgan stole 34 bases for the Nationals last season. (Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

The Washington Nationals have traded outfielder Nyjer Morgan to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Morgan became expendable once it became clear that Rick Ankiel and Jerry Hairston Jr. would be platoon in centre-field. Ankiel will start for Washington on opening day.

“It wasn’t really what he didn’t show as what Ankiel did show,” Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. “Ankiel showed us he can go get the ball in the outfield. His arm is really a weapon. When he’s put there, very few players are going from first to third or second to home. He can create a lot of damage with one swing of the bat.

“Nyjer had a nice spring training. After the first week he did really well. He did everything he had to do, it’s just Ankiel winning the job, not Nyjer losing the job.”

Morgan, who bats and throws left-handed, will probably compete with righty Carlos Gomez for playing time.

Morgan said recently that he didn’t think he’d be with the Nationals on opening day.

On Saturday, manager Jim Riggleman responded: “I’m disappointed that he feels that way, but I’m sure it’s based on probably him seeing two or three other guys that he is competing with.”

Rizzo said that had nothing to do with the trade.

“Players say things out of frustration all the time,” Rizzo said. “I just had a great meeting with Nyjer. He’s comfortable where we’re at and he feels good about himself, so that didn’t play into it at all.”

Washington received minor league infielder Cutter Dykstra and cash from the Brewers.

Morgan stole 34 bases for the Nationals last season despite a .319 on-base percentage, and batted .253 with 24 RBIs.

In 2009, Morgan hit .351 in limited playing time with the Nats, and had 24 steals.

Dykstra is the son of former major leaguer Lenny Dykstra. He played third base for Wisconsin of the low Class A Midwest League last season, where he hit .312 with 39 RBIs and 27 steals. The second-round pick in 2008 also had a stellar .416 on-base percentage.

Dykstra is expected to report on Monday and likely to join Potomac of the high Class A Carolina League.

“He’s an athletic kid, he’s a really good runner,” Rizzo said. “He’s a good offensive player with a high on-base percentage and works counts. He’s really the type of guy that hits at the top of the lineup. Has a little pop and speed and really commands the strike zone.”

Tom Gorzelanny and Kyle Lohse both pitched well for six innings, and the Washington Nationals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 on Friday night.

Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman played for the first time since March 14. After missing 10 games with a strained left groin, he went 0 for 3 and played six innings in the field.

“I thought he looked fine,” Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said. “The main thing is to just stay healthy. Get through it with no setbacks.”

Brian Bixler broke a 2-all tie with a sacrifice fly in the seventh that put the Nationals ahead for good.

Bixler’s fly was to short right field, and Alex Cora beat Nick Stavinoha’s throw home that was high on the third-base side.

“At first thought, I didn’t think it was deep enough,” Bixler said. “When I first hit it I couldn’t see it because the sky was kind of hazy, so I was hoping he couldn’t see it. But then I saw him under it, and I think Alex got a good read on it, and he did a good job. He helped me out a little bit.”

Gorzelanny allowed two runs and four hits for Washington, striking out five and walking one. He gave up a two-run homer to David Freese in the fourth after walking Matt Holliday.

“I was locating pretty well today,” Gorzelanny said. “I was getting ahead of guys early and going after guys and trying to challenge them. I was able to fill up the zone with pretty much everything today.”

Lohse yielded two runs and six hits while striking out three and walking none.

Chad Gaudin (2-0) got the victory for Washington, pitching one shutout inning. Fernando Salas (0-1) took the loss, allowing one run on one hit with two walks.

“Salas came in and walked the first guy,” Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. “This is the big leagues. Walking the leadoff man, you don’t say it’s OK. Otherwise you lose credibility with your players. So that was not good. I think composure was part of the problem. It looked like he was really excited out there, which is understandable. He’s trying to make the ballclub.”

Nyjer Morgan drove in the first run for the Nationals with a single in the third inning. Roger Bernadina also singled in a run.

Albert Pujols had a single in three at-bats for St. Louis.

NOTES: Nationals 1B Adam LaRoche had an MRI exam and will sit out at least the next three games with left shoulder soreness. … The Nationals optioned RHP Yunesky Maya to Triple-A Syracuse.

VIERA, Fla. (AP) – Tom Gorzelanny and Kyle Lohse both pitched well for six innings, and the Washington Nationals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 last night.

Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman played for the first time since March 14. After missing 10 games with a strained left groin, he went 0 for 3 and played six innings in the field.

“I thought he looked fine,” Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said. “The main thing is to just stay healthy. Get through it with no setbacks.”

Brian Bixler broke a 2-all tie with a sacrifice fly in the seventh that put the Nationals ahead for good.

Bixler’s fly was to short right field, and Alex Cora beat Nick Stavinoha’s throw home that was high on the third-base side.

“At first thought, I didn’t think it was deep enough,” Bixler said. “When I first hit it I couldn’t see it because the sky was kind of hazy, so I was hoping he couldn’t see it. But then I saw him under it, and I think Alex got a good read on it, and he did a good job. He helped me out a little bit.”

Gorzelanny allowed two runs and four hits for Washington, striking out five and walking one. He gave up a two-run homer to David Freese in the fourth.

“I was locating pretty well today,” Gorzelanny said. “I was getting ahead of guys early and going after guys and trying to challenge them. I was able to fill up the zone with pretty much everything today.”

Chad Gaudin (2-0) got the victory for Washington, pitching one shutout inning.

Nyjer Morgan drove in the first run for the Nationals with a single in the third inning. Roger Bernadina also singled in a run.

NOTES: Nationals 1B Adam LaRoche had an MRI exam and will sit out at least the next three games with left shoulder soreness. … The Nationals optioned RHP Yunesky Maya to Triple-A Syracuse.

Tom Gorzelanny and Kyle Lohse both pitched well for six innings, and the Washington Nationals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 on Friday night.

Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman played for the first time since March 14. After missing 10 games with a strained left groin, he went 0 for 3 and played six innings in the field.

“I thought he looked fine,” Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said. “The main thing is to just stay healthy. Get through it with no setbacks.”

Brian Bixler broke a 2-all tie with a sacrifice fly in the seventh that put the Nationals ahead for good.

Bixler’s fly was to short right field, and Alex Cora beat Nick Stavinoha’s throw home that was high on the third-base side.

“At first thought, I didn’t think it was deep enough,” Bixler said. “When I first hit it I couldn’t see it because the sky was kind of hazy, so I was hoping he couldn’t see it. But then I saw him under it, and I think Alex got a good read on it, and he did a good job. He helped me out a little bit.”

Gorzelanny allowed two runs and four hits for Washington, striking out five and walking one. He gave up a two-run homer to David Freese in the fourth after walking Matt Holliday.

“I was locating pretty well today,” Gorzelanny said. “I was getting ahead of guys early and going after guys and trying to challenge them. I was able to fill up the zone with pretty much everything today.”

Lohse yielded two runs and six hits while striking out three and walking none.

Chad Gaudin (2-0) got the victory for Washington, pitching one shutout inning. Fernando Salas (0-1) took the loss, allowing one run on one hit with two walks.

“Salas came in and walked the first guy,” Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. “This is the big leagues. Walking the leadoff man, you don’t say it’s OK. Otherwise you lose credibility with your players. So that was not good. I think composure was part of the problem. It looked like he was really excited out there, which is understandable. He’s trying to make the ballclub.”

Nyjer Morgan drove in the first run for the Nationals with a single in the third inning. Roger Bernadina also singled in a run.

Albert Pujols had a single in three at-bats for St. Louis.

NOTES: Nationals 1B Adam LaRoche had an MRI exam and will sit out at least the next three games with left shoulder soreness. … The Nationals optioned RHP Yunesky Maya to Triple-A Syracuse.

Opening day must be close; the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals had a bench-clearing brawl Monday afternoon in Grapefruit League play.

And the managers seemed the most animated of anyone involved.

Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post speculates that the seeds of discontent were planted a season ago when Nats’ outfielder Nyjer Morgan(notes) — you just knew Nyjer was involved — unnecessarily ran into Cardinals catcher Bryan Anderson(notes) back in August.

Washington manager Jim Riggleman admonished Morgan for the incident and even took the step of keeping him out of the lineup the next day because he feared retaliation by St. Louis skipper Tony La Russa.

Fast forward to Monday: La Russa had forgotten nothing. And, after Morgan bumped into All-Galaxy slugger Albert Pujols(notes) while running to first base in the top of the fifth inning (even though, in Kilgore’s opinion, he did so accidentally), “it” apparently was on.

The Cardinals’ Chris Carpenter(notes) hit Laynce Nix(notes) with a pitch later in the inning, and Livan Hernandez(notes) apparently responded  by hitting Colby Rasmus(notes) in the gut with a pitch with one out in the bottom half.

After Livan had plunked Rasmus, Kilgore’s spidey senses suspected an escalation might be coming. The game apparently is not being broadcast on TV or radio, but we do have Kilgore’s live blog:

Top 7, 3:23: Turns out those tensions were not imagined.

Former Nationals reliever Miguel Batista(notes) plunked Ian Desmond(notes) with one out and the bases empty, and after Desmond turned to the catcher and the Cardinals dugout as if asking for an explanation, both benches emptied.

Update: This quote just in from Desmond regarding what it’s like being hit by Batista, a former teammate:

“Miggy throws like Miss Iowa, anyway.”

That refers to the time Batista referred to himself as being like Miss Iowa when fans pay to see Miss Universe (Stephen Stasburg). At least some players still have a sense of humor about themselves.

Back to Kilgore’s live blog:

Nyjer Morgan … was the first one hopping out of the dugout for the Nats. Coach Trent Jewett, who knows Morgan from their days together in the Pittsburgh minor league system, put his arm around Morgan and led him far, far from the scrum.

(Editor’s note: Probably some good coaching there.)

There were apparently no punches thrown. The most demonstrative person was Manager Jim Riggleman, who screamed at Tony La Russa with an index finger protruding. His point seemed to be that each team had hit one batter and that things should have been settled at that. Desmond tried to speak with La Russa, again as if he wanted an explanation.

After the dust settled, Batista was ejected. Knowing how La Russa operates, Batista may have made the team today. It’s 5-2, after a single by Nix and an RBI single by LaRoche.

Here’s Kilgore’s unintentionally hilarious and bawdy description on Twitter of Riggleman’s rage:

Jim Riggleman is GIVING IT to Tony La Russa. And they’re close friends.

Hey, if they say so.

Follow Dave on Twitter — @AnswerDave — and check out the Stew on Facebook for more coverage.

Related: Colby Rasmus, Ian Desmond, Nyjer Morgan, Albert Pujols, Chris Carpenter, Liván Hernández, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman spoke to the media for the first time at the teams’ 2011 Spring Training in Viera, Fla., and he affirmed that Livan Hernandez and Nyjer Morgan should return to the same roles they occupied last season. Riggleman confirmed that Hernandez will be the team’s opening-day starter, and added that Morgan will likely be the leadoff hitter, with shortstop Ian Desmond hitting second.

Via Bill Ladson of MLB.com:

#Riggs said Nyjer Morgan and Ian Desmond most likely will be the first two hitters in the lineup. #Nats

#Riggs said Livan Hernandez will be the Opening Day starter for the #Nats.    

The news about Hernandez is not a surprise because general manager Mike Rizzo said the same thing a month ago. However, the news about Morgan has been greeted with some disappointment because of Morgan’s inability to get on base last season. He had just a .319 on-base percentage in 2010, though he was all the way up at .396 the year before.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Left-handed reliever Sean Burnett and the Washington Nationals agreed Thursday on a two-year, $3.95 million contract with a mutual option for 2013, avoiding salary arbitration.

Burnett went 1-7 with three saves and a 2.14 ERA in 73 appearances in 2010, part of a wholly rebuilt bullpen that morphed from one of Washington’s biggest weaknesses to a strength last season.

He was acquired in June 2009 from the Pirates in a trade that also brought center fielder Nyjer Morgan to Washington and sent reliever Joel Hanrahan and outfielder Lastings Milledge to Pittsburgh.

The 28-year-old Burnett is 9-16 with four saves and a 3.80 ERA in four major league seasons.

His deal pays $1.4 million next season and $2.3 million in 2012. There is a $3.5 million option for 2013 with a $250,000 buyout; if the club exercises the option and he declines, there’s no buyout.

The contract also includes the possibility of earning up to $500,000 each season in performance bonuses based on games finished. If Burnett finishes 35 games, he gets $100,000; for 45, another $150,000; and for 55, another $250,000.

Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

WASHINGTON — Left-handed reliever Sean Burnett and the Washington Nationals agreed Thursday on a $3.95 million, two-year contract with a mutual option for 2013, avoiding salary arbitration.

Burnett went 1-7 with three saves and a 2.14 ERA in 73 appearances in 2010, part of a wholly rebuilt bullpen that morphed from one of Washington’s biggest weaknesses to a strength last season.

He was acquired in June 2009 from the Pirates in a trade that also brought center fielder Nyjer Morgan to Washington and sent reliever Joel Hanrahan and outfielder Lastings Milledge to Pittsburgh.

The 28-year-old Burnett is 9-16 with four saves and a 3.80 ERA in four major-league seasons.

His deal pays $1.4 million next season and $2.3 million in 2012. There is a $3.5 million option for 2013 with a $250,000 buyout; if the club exercises the option and he declines, there’s no buyout.

The contract also includes the possibility of earning up to $500,000 each season in performance bonuses based on games finished. If Burnett finishes 35 games, he gets $100,000; for 45, another $150,000; and for 55, another $250,000.

The Nationals also announced that left-hander Aaron Thompson was claimed off outright waivers by the Pirates. Thompson came to Washington in the July 2009 trade-deadline deal that sent Nick Johnson to the Florida Marlins. In 2010, he went 4-13 with a 5.80 ERA in 26 starts at Double-A Harrisburg, and 1-0 in one start at Triple-A Syracuse.

WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals have agreed with left-handed reliever Sean Burnett on a $3.95 million, two-year contract with a mutual option for 2013, avoiding salary arbitration.

Burnett went 1-7 with three saves and a 2.14 ERA in 73 appearances in 2010.

He was acquired in June 2009 from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a trade that also brought center fielder Nyjer Morgan to Washington and sent reliever Joel Hanrahan and outfielder Lastings Milledge to Pittsburgh.

The 28-year-old Burnett is 9-16 with four saves and a 3.80 ERA in four major league seasons.

His deal pays $1.4 million next season and $2.3 million in 2012. There is a $3.5 million option for 2013 with a $250,000 buyout; if the club exercises the option and he declines, there’s no buyout.

The contract also includes the possibility of earning up to $500,000 each season in performance bonuses based on games finished. If Burnett finishes 35 games, he gets $100,000; for 45, another $150,000; and for 55, another $250,000.

Later Thursday, the Nationals announced that left-hander Aaron Thompson was claimed off outright waivers by the Pirates. Thompson came to Washington in the July 2009 trade deadline deal that sent Nick Johnson to the Florida Marlins. In 2010, he went 4-13 with a 5.80 ERA in 26 starts at Double-A Harrisburg and 1-0 in one start at Triple-A Syracuse.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Nationals pitcher Sean Burnett went 1-7 with three saves and a 2.l4 ERA in 73 appearances in 2010. (Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press)

Left-handed reliever Sean Burnett and the Washington Nationals agreed Thursday on a two-year, $3.95 million US contract with a mutual option for 2013, avoiding salary arbitration.

Burnett went 1-7 with three saves and a 2.l4 earned-run average in 73 appearances in 2010, part of a wholly rebuilt bullpen that morphed from one of Washington’s biggest weaknesses to a strength last season.

He was acquired in June 2009 from the Pirates in a trade that also brought center fielder Nyjer Morgan to Washington and sent reliever Joel Hanrahan and outfielder Lastings Milledge to Pittsburgh.

The 28-year-old Burnett is 9-16 with four saves and a 3.80 ERA in four major league seasons.

His deal pays $1.4 million next season and $2.3 million in 2012. There is a $3.5 million option for 2013 with a $250,000 buyout; if the club exercises the option and he declines, there’s no buyout.

The contract also includes the possibility of earning up to $500,000 each season in performance bonuses based on games finished. If Burnett finishes 35 games, he gets $100,000; for 45, another $150,000; and for 55, another $250,000.

WASHINGTON (AP)—Left-handed reliever Sean Burnett(notes) and the Washington Nationals agreed Thursday on a $3.95 million, two-year contract with a mutual option for 2013, avoiding salary arbitration.

Burnett went 1-7 with three saves and a 2.14 ERA in 73 appearances in 2010, part of a wholly rebuilt bullpen that morphed from one of Washington’s biggest weaknesses to a strength last season.

He was acquired in June 2009 from the Pirates in a trade that also brought center fielder Nyjer Morgan(notes) to Washington and sent reliever Joel Hanrahan(notes) and outfielder Lastings Milledge(notes) to Pittsburgh.

The 28-year-old Burnett is 9-16 with four saves and a 3.80 ERA in four major league seasons.

His deal pays $1.4 million next season and $2.3 million in 2012. There is a $3.5 million option for 2013 with a $250,000 buyout; if the club exercises the option and he declines, there’s no buyout.

The contract also includes the possibility of earning up to $500,000 each season in performance bonuses based on games finished. If Burnett finishes 35 games, he gets $100,000; for 45, another $150,000; and for 55, another $250,000.

NOTE: The Nationals announced that left-hander Aaron Thompson was claimed off outright waivers by the Pirates. Thompson came to Washington in the July 2009 trade-deadline deal that sent Nick Johnson(notes) to the Florida Marlins. In 2010, he went 4-13 with a 5.80 ERA in 26 starts at Double-A Harrisburg, and 1-0 in one start at Triple-A Syracuse.