Submitted by Jeff on Fri, 03/21/2008 - 8:39am.
- First off, the Nats did resume their spring training schedule last night, playing the Astros in Viera. Ryan Zimmerman and Nick Johnson homered for the Nats, and Odalis Perez—looking more and more like the Opening Night starter—pitched six innings of two-run ball. Unfortunately, Chad Cordero gave up a two-run homer in the ninth, giving the Astros a 4-3 win over the Nats.
- The game, though, was almost an afterthought after the Nats released John Patterson earlier in the day, concluding that the pitcher would not return to the level of performance he showed off in 2005, his last effective, healthy season. The Nats ruled out starting him on the DL, Patterson was out of options, and no trade materialized, so the Nats decided to release him and give Matt Chico and/or John Lannan a shot instead.
- "I think I was caught in between sometimes about what should I do," Patterson said after being released, claiming that manager Manny Acta wanted him to get outs while GM Jim Bowden wanted him to throw his fastball more. "What do you do?" Patterson added he had no hard feelings for anyone with the organization. "I'll always remember what it felt like to wear this uniform."
- After Thursday's game the Nats purchased the contract of Perez and added him to the 40-man roster. Shawn Hill, Ryan Wagner, and Wily Mo Peña all went on the 15-day DL. While Hill and Peña are expected to return some time next month, there is no timetable for Wagner.
- Bret Boone was sent to the minors, a demotion the veteran infielder plans to accept. Boone said he is willing to start the season at Triple-A Columbus as he tries to continue his comeback.
- In Metro's quest to encourage people to take the subway to Nationals Park, WMATA has made a YouTube video involving three Peeps going to the game. That's right, Peeps. "Yes, the marshmallow treats talk about going to the game," notes WTOPnews.com. It has to be seen to be believed—and if you do, you'll believe that this film makes "Plan 9 From Outer Space" look like a cinematic masterpiece.
|
