The Sports Xchange
MLB Team Report – Washington Nationals – INSIDE PITCH
The Nationals already are missing Michael Morse and his big bat. They don’t really know when he’ll return.
That’s why they are hoping third baseman Ryan Zimmerman’s shoulder injury is minor. The Nationals are saying it’s not a big deal, and even though it kept Zimmerman out Saturday and would likely have done the same on Sunday if not for a postponement, he’s scheduled to return Tuesday in the series opener in San Diego.
Shoulder inflammations can be tricky, especially for a third baseman who needs to dive and throw a lot.
Zimmerman told the Washington Post that he’s not sure when the shoulder was injured. He thinks it happened on one of the times he dived in a recent game.
“I have no clue when it started,” he told The Washington Post. “I had a chance (to) dive for so many balls. The fourth-and-goal pylon dive into home probably didn’t help.
“That’s just the way we’ve always been taught to play. That’s the only way I’m going to play.”
The three days off certainly should help Zimmerman. If he can be back in the lineup, that would be a big help to the Nationals in several ways.
The team hasn’t gotten a lot of good breaks so far this season with injuries, and they could use one here.
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MLB Team Report – Washington Nationals – NOTES, QUOTES
–LHP Tom Gorzelanny bounced back after a shaky effort on Thursday to win Saturday’s game in relief. He gave up six runs in two innings of relief in Thursday’s loss against the Astros, but threw a shutout top of the 10th Saturday in a 3-2 victory over the Marlins. He hasn’t allowed a run in four of his five appearances this year.
–2B Danny Espinosa is struggling at the plate, batting only .218 with one home run and two RBI this season. In addition, he’s struck out six times in his last three games while batting in the No. 2 spot.
–RHP Stephen Strasburg has been dominant through his first four starts. He’s posted a 2-0 record plus a 1.08 ERA, and would be 3-0 if RHP Brad Lidge hadn’t given up a two-run game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Saturday’s game against the Marlins. Strasburg has shown his power and control again with 25 strikeouts and only six walks in 25 innings.
–CF Rick Ankiel is off to a good start in his first week back off the disabled list. He posted a .280 average (7-for-25) in the first seven games and is already giving the Nationals solid play in center field.
–C Wilson Ramos seems to be rebounding at the plate. His average had slid to .212, but Ramos then went 3-for-8 in his last two games to improve to .244. He started the game-winning rally in the 10th inning Saturday against the Marlins, hitting a single and later scoring on Ian Desmond’s sacrifice fly.
BY THE NUMBERS: 144 — Strikeouts the Nationals’ pitchers have recorded through the first 16 games and 150 innings. That’s tied for first with the Dodgers in the major leagues.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “My guys know this is a big test for us. We know we’re pretty good. We’ve just got to go prove it.” — Nationals manager Davey Johnson, talking about how his team has had problems against the Marlins in the past. Washington won both games against the Marlins in this weekend’s series.
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MLB Team Report – Washington Nationals – ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
–RHP Chien-Ming Wang (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26. He threw 35 pitches in a simulated game in extended spring training April 18, and he was scheduled to make his first official rehab start April 23.
–LF Michael Morse (strained right lat muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26. He made rehab appearances for Class AA Harrisburg and Class A Hagerstown in early April before he was shut down. He won’t resume his rehab before late May, and there is no timetable for his return.
–RHP Drew Storen (inflamed right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26. He underwent surgery April 11 to remove a bone chip, and he might not return until after the All-Star break.
–1B Chris Marrero (hamstring surgery in November 2011) went on the 60-day disabled list April 3.
–RHP Cole Kimball (right shoulder surgery in July 2011) went on the 60-day disabled list April 3. He is expected to miss at least the first half of the season.
ROTATION:
RHP Stephen Strasburg
LHP Gio Gonzalez
RHP Jordan Zimmermann
RHP Edwin Jackson
LHP Ross Detwiler
BULLPEN:
RHP Brad Lidge
RHP Henry Rodriguez
RHP Tyler Clippard
LHP Sean Burnett
LHP Tom Gorzelanny
LHP Ryan Mattheus
RHP Craig Stammen
CATCHERS:
Wilson Ramos
Jesus Flores
INFIELDERS:
1B Adam LaRoche
2B Danny Espinosa
SS Ian Desmond
3B Ryan Zimmerman
INF/OF Steve Lombardozzi
INF Chad Tracy
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Mark DeRosa
CF Rick Ankiel
RF Jayson Werth
OF Roger Berandina
OF Xavier Nady
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