Nationals home for wayward ballplayers?
Submitted by Jeff on Tue, 06/12/2007 - 5:33am.
- Monday was an off-day, so everyone (well, the Post, Times, and even the AP) focused on the rejuvenation of Cristian Guzman, who is hitting .500 (24-for-48) in his last 11 games. All-Star shortstop, anyone? Maybe.
- FOXSports.com broke the news yesterday that the Nats are interested in trading for troubled Tampa Bay outfielder Elijah Dukes. The rookie has 10 home runs this season, and nearly as many run-ins with the law. It's not clear who the Nats would have to give up to get Dukes, who would likely displace Nook Logan and/or Ryan Langerhans in center.
- Friday will be rehab start day for the Nats: John Patterson will start for high-A Potomac (at Frederick), Jerome Williams will start for Double-A Harrisburg, and Jason Bergmann will start for Triple-A Columbus. All will be three-inning/50-pitch starts. Meanwhile, Mike O'Connor pitched Sunday for Harrisburg, allowing a run on two hits in three innings.
- After suggesting that the trio might remain at low-A Hagerstown for much of the season, the Nationals promoted the entire outfield—Chris Marrero, Justin Maxwell, and Mike Daniel—to high-A Potomac. Also getting promoted was first baseman Brett McMillan. Bob Boone: "It's not so much that we moved them. They moved themselves."
- Chad Cordero's next save will be the 100th of his career, and provided it comes some time this season, it will make him the second-youngest pitcher to reach that milestone, after Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez.
- Given his performance at the plate recently, Phil Wood wonders if Dmitri Young will finish the season with the Nats or be traded to a contending team. Wood suggests that Young could be an "attractive plan B" for the Yankees if they can't deal for Mark Teixiera.
- Bill Ladson's mailbag focuses on weak-hitting Felipe Lopez, a potential return for Tomo Ohka (recently DFA'ed by the Blue Jays) and Brandon Watson's problem: the hot-hitting (37-game streak) Triple-A outfielder isn't walking enough.
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