(3/14/2010) Former major league infielder Dallas McPherson was among the 10 players the Oakland Athletics reassigned to their minor league camp on Sunday. The team also reassigned right-handed pitchers Sam Demel and Matt Wright, left-handed pitcher Cedrick Bowers, catchers Joel Galarraga and Max Stassi, and infielders Grant Green, Jemile Weeks, Matt Whitney and Corey Wimberly. The Athletics have 53 players remaining in camp with the 40-man roster and 13 non-roster invitees. The breakdown includes 27 pitchers, four catchers, 12 infielders and 10 outfielders.
Whitney tries to finally make his way
(3/2/2010)Matt Whitney was a big shot in high school, an All-American third baseman and a can't-miss prospect. These days the former first-round draft pick is with his third big-league organization and remains a prospect, though perhaps it is not such a sure thing. No matter. Whitney, who was assigned Barry Zito's No. 75 this spring after signing a minor-league deal with the Athletics last November, loves the game and says he will play until teams stop calling.
(3/10/2009) The Nationals optioned left-hander Mike O'Connor to Triple-A Syracuse and left-hander Ross Detwiler to Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday in their first round of spring training cuts. O'Connor was 1-1 with a 13.00 ERA in five games, including one start, for Washington in 2008. Detwiler, who was 8-8 in 26 starts with Class A Potomac last year, was the Nationals' first-round draft pick in 2007 out of Missouri State. The Nationals also reassigned eight players to their minor league camp: left-hander Justin Jones; right-handers Bobby Brownlie, Preston Larrison and J.D. Martin; catcher Javier Herrera; first basemen Chris Marrero and Matt Whitney; and outfielder Destin Hood.
(11/17/2008) The Nationals signed 1B Matthew Whitney to a minor league contract.
Nats send Whitney back to Indians
(3/22/2008) According to MLB.com, the Nationals had to return 3B Matt Whitney, picked in the Rule 5 draft, to the Indians on Saturday after they could not create a space for him on the major-league roster.
Whitney will have to fight for spot
(1/14/2008) 1B Matt Whitney, the club's two selections in this year's Rule-5 draft, could have a tough time making the Opening Day roster, according to The Sports Xchange. The Nationals like Whitney's raw power -- he hit a combined 32 homers for Cleveland's Class A affiliates last season -- but the club already has veteran INF Aaron Boone, OF/INF Rob Mackowiak and OF/INF Willie Harris penciled in as key reserves.
Nats tender contracts to eight
(1/11/2008) The Nationals agreed to terms Friday on one-year contracts with eight other players, including outfielder Lastings Milledge, acquired in the trade that sent catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church to the New York Mets. Milledge received a split contract that would pay him $402,500 if he's in the majors and $145,075 in the minors. Others agreeing to 2008 deals: left-handers Ross Detwiler, the team's top pick in June's amateur draft, and John Lannan, who made his big league debut last season; right-handers Garrett Mock and Chris Schroder; infielder Kory Casto; and first basemen Josh Whitesell and Matt Whitney.
Nats get slugger Whitney via Rule-5
(12/7/2007) The Nationals selected infielder Matt Whitney from the Indians in the Rule-5 draft.
