Nationals press release just dropped
The Washington Nationals today placed right fielder Austin Kearns on the 15-Day Disabled List (right elbow). The Nationals will make a corresponding roster move prior to tomorrow’s series opener vs. Milwaukee.
The Nationals have three outfielders on their 40-man roster not currently in the majors (or on the DL). Kory Casto is playing in Columbus while Justin Maxwell and Roger Bernadina are playing in Harrisburg.
Casto just returned from a broken hamate bone this week so I’m not sure it would be him.
Maxwell has not played in any games since May 19 (he pinch-ran in the second game of yesterday’s doubleheader). I have not been able to confirm whether there is an underlying injury there or whether the Nationals were holding him out of games in preparation for the Kearns move (hoping to prevent an injury in the time needed to determine whether Kearns would go on the DL).
Bernadina is an interesting option. Like Maxwell, he can play all three OF positions. He is currently hitting 321/379/472 in 41 games for the Senators with 16 stolen bases in 21 attempts.
The fourth option is adding someone like Ryan Langerhans or Alex Escobar to the 40-man roster which currently stands at 38.
Nate | 22-May-08 at 4:14 pm | Permalink
Of course, even with Kearns to the DL, the Nats still have 5 OF on the 25-man.
Milledge, Pena, Dukes, Mackowiak, Harris.
Maybe a UTIL type to fill in for Belliard?
Chris | 22-May-08 at 4:15 pm | Permalink
FREE MELVIN DORTA!!!
Pilchard | 22-May-08 at 4:28 pm | Permalink
I agree that the Nats may not recall an OF. Other than the fact the Nats OFers are not very good, you could make the argument that a possible reason for the struggles of Duke and WMP is the lack of regular at bats. The Nats may want to use the next two weeks to see if more at bats for Dukes and Pena help. If not, one or both may be going down to the minors.
If the plan is to see what Dukes and WMP can do with a lot of at bats, bringing up Maxwell or Bernadina may not be the move to make. The Nats failed to replace Ronnie B with an INF, and they would be in a bad spot if Guzman or Lopez need to be replaced during the course of a game right now.
Nate | 22-May-08 at 4:40 pm | Permalink
Free Melvin Dorta? Now that’s a good deal. Much better than steeply discounted William Bergolla.
Tom | 22-May-08 at 5:22 pm | Permalink
Willie Harris played short in last night’s blowout to get some infield time.
Let Teddy Win the Pr | 22-May-08 at 5:54 pm | Permalink
Escobar’s last shot, perhaps? Would be entertaining…
Positively Half St. | 22-May-08 at 6:21 pm | Permalink
I agree that Alex Escobar would be the best idea, because he never fails to produce when healthy (ok, find stats from certain years to prove me wrong).
I would prefer Maxwell or Bernadina, just for the fun of it. I think that Dukes has to be on subprime mortgage-like borrowed time, with a sub 0.050 batting average. It’s too bad, because I really wanted him to crank.
Positively Half St. | 22-May-08 at 6:31 pm | Permalink
A few things:
Alaniz in fact is 6-0 now. Thanks for telling me about the pitchers he could replace at Harrisburg.
Someone mentioned letting older players go to advance others from Potomac or Hagerstown. I guess that is bound to happen after the draft. Some of the draftees could at least possibly go to Hagerstown, and then choices would have to be made.
Please tell me more about Marco Estrada. He is doing well in Harrisburg. Although he is approaching 25, he is 5-2 with a low ERA (2.45 after today). Is he lucky, and not a prospect, or does Harrisburg feel he might be blooming?
Positively Half St. | 22-May-08 at 7:11 pm | Permalink
Along the lines of the radio information:
I started listening to some of our minor league teams’ games when the Nats were truly awful last April and May. One thing I enjoyed at the time was writing e-mails to home or away broadcast teams to discuss some of the minor league players during the game.
Do you know the e-mail addresses for the broadcasters for the Nats’ minor league teams? I would like to discuss the teams with them, but also give my support to them and the minor league players during their broadcasts/games.
Positively Half St. | 22-May-08 at 7:18 pm | Permalink
Weird. Along those lines, I just started listening to the Clippers broadcast tonight. They were clearly running an old pre-game show, mentioning the activation of Alex Escobar, and the release of Tony Batista. That was weeks ago.
I guess I will go back to the Hagerstown game.
Jane | 23-May-08 at 6:43 am | Permalink
Melvin Dorta???? Melvin is no longer with the Nationals. Melvin is currently with the Altoona Curve, the Pittsburgh AA team.
Brian Oliver | 23-May-08 at 7:52 am | Permalink
Jane - The former CapPun is yanking my chain
Bob L. Head | 23-May-08 at 10:14 am | Permalink
What’s the option status of Langerhaaans and Escobar?