In an unexpected but not entirely unsurprising move, the Nats released pitcher John Patterson, citing his poor performance this spring. The Nats had hoped that Patterson's arm strength would return to where it was during his 2005 campaign, but his fastball remained mired in the low-to-mid 80s. Patterson believes his start Sunday against the Orioles—six runs in four innings, with Mark Lerner in attendance—was the final straw. "I don't think Mr. Lerner seeing me pitch against Baltimore helped the situation at all. That was not brought up at the meeting. I don't think that helped. I pitched pretty good in two starts, but he didn't see those," Patterson said after being released. The team would be open to signing Patterson to a minor league deal and let him work his way back.