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Washington Nationals

8/15/2006

Jose Vidro, was

Vidro is heading to Double-A Harrisburg to continue his rehab work and could be back with the Nationals by the end of the week.

8/13/2006

Jose Vidro, was

Vidro will start minor league work on Sunday after missing 3 1/2 weeks because of a left hamstring injury. The Washington Nationals second baseman hopes to make a Double-A start next Tuesday.

8/11/2006

Micah Bowie, was

Bowie left the Nationals' 5-2 win over the Florida Marlins on Wednesday with a mild shoulder strain after facing three batters in the seventh inning. The left-hander is listed as day-to-day and is expected to be sidelined for several days.

8/3/2006

Brandon Harper, was

The Nationals purchased Harper's contract from Triple-A New Orleans on Thursday. The catcher will replace Robert Fick, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday with a left rib cartilage separation.

8/2/2006

Robert Fick, was

Fick was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Nationals on Tuesday, after suffering a left rib cartilage separation. The catcher left the Nationals' 10-7 win over the San Francisco Giants on Monday with the injury.

8/1/2006

Robert Fick, was

Status: Fick left the Nationals' 10-7 win over the San Francisco Giants on Monday with a left rib cartilage separation and is listed as day-to-day. The catcher is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday after going 1-for-1 in the win and being replaced by Brian Schneider.

Brian Schneider, was

Schneider did not start in the Nationals' 10-7 win over the San Francisco Giants on Monday, but had to enter the game after backup catcher Robert Fick suffered a left rib cage separation. Schneider went 0-for-1 in the win and is expected to start behind the plate for Washington on Tuesday, despite being bothered by a mild strain in his lower back that caused him to leave Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

7/31/2006

Alfonso Soriano, was

Soriano's up-and-down tenure with the Nationals will last at least until the end of this season, with the team deciding Monday to hold on to the slugger instead of dealing him at baseball's trade deadline. The five-time All-Star was thought to be the most prized player available on the market, but the Nationals decided to keep him rather than swapping him for prospects.

7/26/2006

Jose Vidro, was

Vidro was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring on Tuesday, with the move retroactive to July 18. The Nationals' second baseman has struggled with leg injuries over the past three seasons.

Bernie Castro, was

Castro was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on Tuesday after Nationals second baseman Jose Vidro was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. The 27-year-old Castro was batting .284 with 22 steals at New Orleans.

7/24/2006

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen had season-ending surgery Tuesday for a completely torn ligament in his right elbow. The ligament reconstruction _ known as Tommy John surgery _ was performed by Dr. James Andrews, who examined Guillen in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday. An MRI exam revealed the full tear. Guillen will return to his home in Miami and begin physical therapy in two weeks. His contract with the Nationals expires at the end of this season.

Felipe Lopez, was

Lopez went 2-for-5 Sunday, including a two-run single in the third inning, giving him three consecutive games with two hits.

7/23/2006

Alfonso Soriano, was

Soriano says he wants to stay with the Nationals, but he doubts he'll reach an agreement on a new contract before the July 31 trade deadline. The five-time All-Star is slated to become a free agent at season's end, and the Nationals figure to be able to get top prospects in return if they deal him.

7/22/2006

Kevin Gryboski, was

Gryboski was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans on Saturday when the Nationals recalled outfielder Ryan Church. Gryboski made four appearances compiling a 13.50 ERA with no decisions during his week-long stint in the majors. "I'll be back. I've just got to stay positive. I've just got to go down there and fine-tune my game," Gryboski said. "I'm not going to say I didn't have my chances."

Ryan Church, was

The Nationals recalled Church from Triple-A New Orleans on Saturday when they optioned right-handed reliever Kevin Gryboski. Church, who has had two stints in the minors this season, hit .215 with four homers and 11 RBIs in 23 games for the Nationals earlier this year. Washington needed another outfielder after Alex Escobar hurt his right hamstring in Friday's 7-6 win over Chicago.

7/20/2006

Jose Guillen, was

The Nationals placed right fielder Jose Guillen on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a sore right elbow. The move was made retroactive to Wednesday.

John Patterson, was

The Nationals announced Thursday that Patterson had successful exploratory surgery on his right forearm.

7/19/2006

John Patterson, was

Patterson will undergo exploratory surgery on his right forearm Thursday and will likely miss the rest of the season, Nationals manager Frank Robinson said. The 28-year-old right-hander, who has been on the disabled list twice this season, is 1-2 with a 4.43 ERA in eight starts. "I don't think there is very much he can do to try to come back," Robinson said following the Nationals' 1-0 loss Wednesday to Florida.

7/18/2006

Damian Jackson, was

Jackson was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, retroactive to July 8 with chest problems. The Nationals' infielder is batting .210 with four home runs and nine RBIs in 56 games this season.

7/14/2006

Marlon Byrd, was

The Nationals designated outfielder Marlon Byrd for assignment. He was acquired from Philadelphia in 2005 in a trade that sent outfielder Endy Chavez to the Phillies.

Chris Booker, was

The Nationals reacquired Booker, who the team gave up in the 2005 Rule 5 draft. The Nationals originally signed Booker as a minor league free agent in November. He was chosen by Philadelphia three weeks later in the Rule 5 draft. The Phillies waived him in May, and he was claimed by Kansas City. He pitched in one game for the Royals, who had to offer him back to the Nationals before they could remove him from their 40-man roster.

7/7/2006

Luis Matos, was

Matos was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Thursday. The 27-year-old outfielder spent two weeks on the disabled list this season with inflammation in his right shoulder. He was hitting .207 with two homers and five RBIs in 55 games.

7/6/2006

Alex Escobar, was

Escobar was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list by Washington on Thursday after the center fielder completed a rehab assignment at Double-A Harrisburg. Escobar played two games early in the season before being placed on the DL on May 22 with a strained left hamstring. He batted .314 during his 10-game rehab assignment.

7/5/2006

Tony Armas, was

Armas will make two rehab starts before returning to the Nationals after the All-Star break. The right-hander has a strained right forearm and has been sidelined since June 20. He will start for Double-A Harrisburg on Wednesday and next Monday.

Ryan Zimmerman, was

Zimmerman hit a three-run homer with two out in the ninth to lift the Nationals over the Florida Marlins 6-4 on Tuesday. It was Zimmerman's second game-winning homer in less than three weeks. He hit a two-run shot in the ninth to beat the New York Yankees 3-2 on June 18. "They're all good," Zimmerman said. "Can't take away anything from a game-winning hit. They're all special."

7/4/2006

Pedro Astacio, was

Astacio won his Washington debut by allowing one run and three hits in five innings of a 9-1 victory over the Florida Marlins on Monday.

Alfonso Soriano, was

Soriano homered twice and drove in four runs in the Nationals' 9-1 win over the Florida Marlins on Monday.

7/3/2006

Alfonso Soriano, was

Soriano was selected to his fifth All-Star team Sunday and will start in the outfield for the National League. He is hitting .263 with 24 homers and 51 RBIs this season.

7/2/2006

Pedro Astacio, was

Astacio was activated from the 60-day disabled list Saturday by the Nationals.

Shawn Hill, was

The Nationals placed Hill on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with elbow soreness. The move is retroactive to June 29.

6/21/2006

Nick Johnson, was

Johnson missed his third consecutive game on Tuesday and is still considered day-to-day with a back injury. The Nationals first baseman is batting .312 with 12 homers and 33 RBIs.

6/13/2006

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs for the Nationals in a 4-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Monday in his second start since being activated from the disabled list. It was his second consecutive multi-hit game after going 2-for-3 with two doubles in a 6-0 Nationals' win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. The left fielder was on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring and missed 14 games before returning on Saturday.

6/10/2006

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen was activated off the disabled list on Saturday after being sidelined with a strained right hamstring. The Washington Nationals outfielder was placed on the disabled list on May 27, retroactive to May 26. He was batting .212 with five homers and 19 RBIs.

5/31/2006

Joey Eischen, was

The Nationals put Eischen on the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday with a torn muscle in his rotator cuff. Washington's reliever was 0-1 with a 8.59 ERA in 22 games.

5/20/2006

Ryan Church, was

The Washington Nationals have optioned Church to Double-A Harrisburg. The outfielder was sent down after going 0-for-4 in a 5-1 loss to Baltimore on Friday, dropping his average to .215 in 22 games. He's 4-for-23 in May.

5/15/2006

Wiki Gonzalez, was

On Sunday, Gonzalez played in his first game since April 9. The Nationals catcher was 3-for-5.

Brian Schneider, was

The Washington Nationals placed Schneider on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring before Saturday's loss to the Atlanta Braves. The move was retroactive to Thursday, and the Nationals filled his roster spot by activating Robert Fick from the disabled list. Schneider was hitting .230 with a home run and 14 RBIs.

5/11/2006

Felipe Lopez, was

Lopez swiped four bases Wednesday in Cincinnati's 9-6 victory over Washington. The Reds' shortstop went 2-for-3 with two walks, and his steals helped him score three runs in the win. For the season, Lopez has 15 steals and has been caught just once. He's batting .288 with a .357 on-base percentage in 34 games.

5/9/2006

Cristian Guzman, was

Guzman underwent successful shoulder surgery Monday to repair a tear in his right shoulder. The Washington shortstop has been on the 15-day disabled list since March 27 and will miss the rest of the season, but is expected to be 100 percent for spring training in 2007. Guzman will return to Washington Thursday and begin rehabilitation immediately.

John Patterson, was

Patterson was examined by Dr. James Andrews in Alabama Monday for the forearm pain that has sidelined him. The Washington right-hander was given an injection to treat what was diagnosed as tendinitis in his right forearm.

5/8/2006

John Patterson, was

Patterson continues to be bothered by forearm pain, and the Washington right-hander probably won't pitch for another week. He hasn't pitched since April 21 against Atlanta, and he went on the 15-day disabled list roughly a week later. "It's not getting worse, but the soreness is not going away," said Patterson, who is unable to do his rehab work.

5/6/2006

Nick Johnson, was

Johnson went 2-for-2 with two walks and two homers in the Nationals' 6-0 win over the Pirates on Friday night.

5/5/2006

Cristian Guzman, was

Guzman has a labrum tear that the Washington Nationals have determined needs season-ending surgery. The Nationals' shortstop has been sidelined since early in spring training, hoping to rehab the injury without going under the knife. He has been feeling too much pain in recent attempts to throw, leading to a decision to have surgery that will be performed Monday.

Luis Matos, was

The Baltimore Orioles placed Javy Lopez on the 15-day disabled list Friday and filled his roster spot by activating Matos from the DL. Matos has been sidelined since April 16 with an inflamed right shoulder. He's batting .138 with two homers and two RBIs in nine games.

4/28/2006

John Patterson, was

After missing his last start with a forearm strain, Patterson went on the 15-day disabled list Friday. The right-hander has pitched effectively for Washington -- allowing just 22 baserunners and striking out 32 in 25 2-3 innings -- but his forearm ailment has been an issue since early in the season. Manager Frank Robinson wants him to be healthy the next time he takes the mound.

4/26/2006

Billy Traber, was

Traber's stint in the majors was brief, as the Washington Nationals optioned him to Triple-A New Orleans after lasting just 1 1-3 innings against the Reds Tuesday. Seven of the 11 batters the left-hander faced reached base, leaving Traber with a 1-1 record and 9.00 ERA. He won in Philadelphia on April 20, allowing two hits and three earned runs, but was roughed up at home by Cincinnati.

4/22/2006

Alfonso Soriano, was

Soriano hit three homers for the first time and matched his career high with five RBIs in the Nationals' 7-3 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday. He hit leadoff homers off John Smoltz in the first and third innings to become only the fifth player -- and first since 1999 -- to hit two homers off the Atlanta hurler in a game. In the eighth, Soriano added a three-run shot off Oscar Villarreal.

4/21/2006

Zach Day, was

The Colorado Rockies designated Day for assignment Friday. The one-time prospect was acquired from Washington last July, but has battled injuries constantly since the trade. In 2005, he went down with a fractured wrist, a fractured thumb and a shoulder ailment.

4/17/2006

Jose Vidro, was

Vidro sat out Washington's win over Florida Saturday with tightness in his left hamstring. The Nationals' second baseman also was on the bench Sunday, though he pinch-hit and delivered a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning of a second straight victory over the Marlins. His status is uncertain for Tuesday, when Washington opens a three-game series in Philadelphia.

Ryan Drese, was

The Nationals' Web site is reporting that an MRI exam of Drese's tender right elbow has revealed a flexor tendon strain. Surgery is not needed, but the 30-year-old right-hander is expected to miss four to six weeks of action. He was coming back from offseason shoulder surgery and had made two starts for Washington. He was 0-2 with a 5.19 ERA.

Billy Traber, was

The Nationals' Web site is reporting that Ryan Drese will miss up to two months with an elbow injury and Traber will be recalled from the minors to start Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies. The former Mets and Indians prospect had made two starts at Triple-A New Orleans, posting a 2.45 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 11 innings without getting a decision.

4/16/2006

Ryan Church, was

Church hit a pair of two-run homers -- his first hits this season -- in the Nationals' 7-5 win over the Florida Marlins on Sunday. The 27-year-old Washington outfielder finished 2-for-4 with three runs and four RBIs.

4/13/2006

Wiki Gonzalez, was

Gonzalez, along with outfielder Brandon Watson, was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans on Thursday. In a corresponding move, the team recalled outfielder Ryan Church and infielder Brendan Harris.

4/10/2006

Felix Rodriguez, was

Rodriguez was suspended for three games by Major League Baseball on Monday for his role in a game against the Mets last week when five batters were hit by pitches. The Washington reliever was ejected after he hit Paul Lo Duca in the eighth inning. That followed a near brawl earlier in the game after Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez plunked Jose Guillen twice.

4/6/2006

Alfonso Soriano, was

Soriano found himself on the Washington bench Wednesday after failing to run out an infield popup in the sixth inning, which was caught in fair territory by Mets catcher Paul LoDuca. Soriano hardly had left the batter box, so Nationals manager Frank Robinson sat him down. "That's the rule around here," Robinson said. "They've all been told. It's been said more than one time."

John Patterson, was

Patterson experienced tightness in his right forearm during Washington's 9-5 10-inning win over the New York Mets Wednesday. The Nationals' starter allowed four hits (including two homers), three walks and four earned runs over four innings. He struck out seven.

Ryan Zimmerman, was

Zimmerman's first major league home run was a memorable one. He stroked a ninth-inning bomb off Mets closer Billy Wagner to tie the game at 4-4 and force extra innings. The Nationals scored five times in the 10th to win, 9-5.

4/4/2006

Pedro Astacio, was

Astacio underwent an MRI exam Saturday that identified a right forearm flexor strain. The injury is not considered serious. The Washington right-hander will rest five to seven days before he is re-evaluated. If all goes well, Astacio could see game action by the beginning of May.

Ryan Drese, was

With right-hander Pedro Astacio out for most or all of April with a forearm injury, Drese is expected to come off the disabled list to take his spot in the Washington rotation. Drese has been slow to come around following offseason shoulder surgery, but the veteran right-hander, who turns 30 Wednesday, could make his first start of the season on April 9 against Houston. He would pitch five or six innings in that game.

Marlon Byrd, was

Washington manager Frank Robinson said Byrd might be used as late-inning defensive replacement for Alfonso Soriano in left field.

3/28/2006

Marlon Byrd, was

The Washington Nationals optioned Ryan Church to Triple-A New Orleans, meaning Byrd and rookie Brandon Watson will share center field to start the season. Byrd is batting .320 (16-for-50) with four doubles and two homers this spring. Church hit .200 before his demotion.

Ryan Church, was

The Washington Nationals optioned Church to Triple-A New Orleans Tuesday, a move that turns over center field to rookie Brandon Watson and Marlon Byrd. Church established himself as a solid Rookie of the Year candidate last season before suffering a ribcage injury at the end of June. He didn't hit much the rest of the way, but still finished with hitting percentages of .287/.353/.466 in 102 games. He was a .325 hitter at the All-Star break.

3/27/2006

Brian Lawrence, was

The Washington Nationals placed Lawrence on the 15-day disabled list Monday. The right-hander has been sidelined for a month, diagnosed with a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder after his first bullpen session of the spring. He underwent surgery and could be out for the season.

Ryan Drese, was

The Washington Nationals placed Drese on the 15-day disabled list Monday. The 29-year-old right-hander had offseason shoulder surgery, and he hasn't come around enough to be ready to start the season. Drese was 7-12 with a 5.78 ERA in 23 starts for Texas and Washington in 2005.

Luis Ayala, was

Ayala's Tommy John surgery is scheduled for Thursday, March 30, and the Washington reliever will miss the entire season. The 28-year-old right-hander, injured pitching for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, was coming off a third straight solid season with the franchise. He was 8-7 with a 2.66 ERA in 68 appearances last year before an elbow injury ended his season. Ayala had surgery in October to remove a bone spur in the elbow.

3/25/2006

Cristian Guzman, was

Nationals shortstop Guzman will begin the season on the disabled list, meaning Royce Clayton will become the starter. The Nationals remain optimistic Guzman's labrum tear will not require surgery.

3/22/2006

Alfonso Soriano, was

Soriano is in left field for the Washington Nationals Wednesday afternoon. The former Texas Ranger started in his new position two days after refusing to move from second base. He caught a routine flyball by Albert Pujols and doubled off David Eckstein at second early in his first game as an outfielder.

3/21/2006

Alfonso Soriano, was

Now that the World Baseball Classic is over, the issue of whether Soriano will play in left field for the Washington Nationals will become front and center in the Senators' clubhouse. It didn't take long to have the matter become a major issue, as Soriano refused to play in left Monday night in Washington's exhibition game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

3/19/2006

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen could make his spring training debut for the Nationals on Monday night. He participated in a simulated game on Saturday morning.

Marlon Anderson, was

Anderson will miss two to three days while recovering from a cut on his index finger on his left hand. He injured the finger while cutting a grapefruit on Saturday.

3/17/2006

Luis Ayala, was

Ayala, who was limited by a stiff elbow early in spring training, will have reconstructive surgery on his right elbow within the next two weeks. The Washington reliever is expected to miss the entire season. He left his last appearance in the World Baseball Classic Thursday after facing one batter.

3/14/2006

Ryan Drese, was

Drese, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery, hasn't come around as quickly as the Washington Nationals had hoped. The 29-year-old right-hander is likely to start the new season on the disabled list. He was 7-12 with a 5.78 ERA in 23 starts for Texas and Washington in 2005.

3/11/2006

Nick Johnson, was

Johnson agreed to a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension through 2009 that will keep Johnson with the Nationals through 2009. The last year of the contract becomes a player option if the first baseman is traded within the next two years.

3/9/2006

Cristian Guzman, was

Guzman is nursing a sore shoulder and the Washington Nationals are being cautious with their starting shortstop.

3/7/2006

Jose Vidro, was

Vidro has played three straight exhibition games without a problem with his right knee, which has bothered him for more than two years. Playing three straight and then taking a day off is Washington's plan for Vidro this spring, so he won't play for the Nationals on Tuesday.

3/6/2006

Robert Fick, was

As anticipated, Fick underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow Monday. The Washington Nationals' catcher-first baseman, who is expected to come off the bench, had three large, loose bodies removed. He is scheduled to return to spring training Tuesday and begin hitting and throwing within a week. The Nationals expect him to be ready to play by opening day on April 3.

3/5/2006

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen will not have wrist surgery after receiving a second medical opinion Saturday that recommended rehabilitation. Guillen was examined Saturday in Baltimore by Dr. Thomas Graham, chief of the Curtis National Hand Center at Union Memorial Hospital. Dr. Tim Kremchek, the Nationals' senior orthopedic consultant and Cincinnati Reds medical director, consulted.

3/3/2006

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen has a wrist injury that may require surgery and sideline him for three months. A hand specialist on Friday determined that the Nationals' outfielder had swollen tendons and a damaged tendon in his left wrist. Guillen believes he injured the wrist lifting weights. If he has surgery, he could be out until June.

Robert Fick, was

Fick will undergo arthroscopic surgery Monday to remove loose bodies in his right elbow. Fick, who signed with the Washington Nationals in January, will be out 2-4 weeks and still could be ready for Opening Day.

Chad Cordero, was

Cordero has signed a split contract with the Washington Nationals for 2006. The right-handed reliever, who turns 24 on March 18, will earn $525,000 for the Nationals. If he plays in the minors, Cordero would earn $275,000.

2/27/2006

Brian Lawrence, was

The Washington Post is reporting that Lawrence's season may be over. The Nationals' right-hander had surgery on Sunday, which determined that he had a torn rotator cuff in addition to the torn right labrum that led to the procedure. A team spokesman told the Post that Lawrence could begin throwing in 12 weeks and will be out 4-8 months.

2/26/2006

Brian Lawrence, was

Lawrence is expected to be out at least until the All-Star break with a torn right labrum. The Nationals' right-hander, acquired in a trade with San Diego in the offseason, had an MRI Saturday that confirmed the injury.

2/10/2006

Alfonso Soriano, was

Soriano lost to the Washington Nationals in salary arbitration Friday and will receive $10 million instead of his requested $12 million. The All-Star second baseman set a record for the highest salary awarded in arbitration, topping the $8.2 million Atlanta Braves' center fielder Andruw Jones earned in 2001. Soriano is eligible for free agency after this coming season.

2/5/2006

Luis Matos, was

Matos and the Baltimore Orioles came to terms on a one-year, $1,625,000 deal Friday. That's a raise of $500,000 over 2005, when the outfielder batted .280 with four homers and 32 RBIs in 121 games.

1/27/2006

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen may miss the first month of the season with an injured shoulder. The Nationals' outfielder has been rehabilitating his left shoulder since an operation Nov. 21 to repair a partially torn labrum. Guillen, who sustained the injury in a headfirst slide in June, hit .283 with 24 home runs and 76 RBIs last season.

1/17/2006

Nick Johnson, was

Johnson and the Nationals came to terms on a one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration. The first baseman batted .289 with 15 homers and 74 RBIs in 2005. He also had 35 doubles and finished with a team-leading .408 on-base percentage.

Brian Schneider, was

The Nationals and Schneider agreed to a $16 million, four-year contract on Tuesday, avoiding salary arbitration. Schneider, regarded as one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, threw out 38 percent of would-be basestealers last season. He has led the majors in that category the last two years.

1/16/2006

Austin Kearns, was

Kearns avoided arbitration with the Reds by signing a one-year deal Monday. Financial terms were not released. The outfielder hit .240 with a career-high 18 homers and 67 RBIs last season. He hit 12 of his home runs after his return in mid-July from a five-week stint in the minors.

1/11/2006

Marlon Byrd, was

Byrd avoided arbitration Wednesday, agreeing to a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Washington Nationals. The 28-year-old outfielder started last season with Philadelphia before joining the Nationals in May. He hit a combined .266 with two home runs and 26 RBIs in 229 at-bats in 2005.

1/10/2006

Luis Ayala, was

Ayala agreed Monday to a $2.2 million, two-year contract to remain with the Washington Nationals. The right-handed reliever went 8-7 with one save and a 2.66 ERA in 71 innings pitched for the Nationals. He is expected to earn $900,000 this year and $1.3 million next year.

12/29/2005

Tony Armas, was

Armas and the Washington Nationals came to terms on a one-year, $2.1 million contract Thursday. The 27-year-old right-hander went 7-7 with a 4.97 ERA for Washington in 2005. Armas was roughed up in his last two starts of the season, was shut down on Sept. 1 for a shoulder ailment, and later had surgery.

Ramon Ortiz, was

Ortiz and the Washington Nationals came to terms on a one-year, $2.5 million deal Thursday. The 32-year-old right-hander was 9-11 with a 5.36 ERA in 30 starts with Cincinnati last season.

12/22/2005

T.J. Tucker, was

Tucker has re-signed with the Washington Nationals, agreeing to minor league contract. The right-hander, who missed some time last season with a hyperextended pitching elbow, made just 13 relief appearances in 2005, going 1-0 with a 6.39 ERA.

Alex Escobar, was

Escobar has signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals and will be invited to spring training. The outfielder, who was acquired from the Chicago White Sox in February, did not appear in a major league game last season, sidelined by foot and quadriceps injuries.

12/20/2005

Alfonso Soriano, was

Soriano is still refusing to move from second base to the outfield with his new team, the Washington Nationals. "I don't want to change," he said Monday. "If I haven't done it before, I won't do it now." He added that he has a greater comfort level in the American League and plans to become a free agent after next season and sign with an AL team.

12/13/2005

Joey Eischen, was

Eischen re-signed with the Washington Nationals, inking a one-year deal. In 2005, he appeared in 57 games, posting a 3.22 ERA over 36.1 innings.

Robert Fick, was

Fick signed a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals. In 230 at-bats as a utilityman for the San Diego Padres last year, Fick hit .365 with three home runs and 30 RBIs.

12/8/2005

Alfonso Soriano, was

Soriano was traded to the Washington Nationals in exchange for outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge on Wednesday. The second baseman hit .268. with 36 home runs, 104 RBI, and 30 stolen bases in 156 games for the Rangers in 2005.

11/20/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen will undergo arthroscopic surgery Monday to repair a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder.

11/19/2005

Marlon Anderson, was

Anderson and the Washington Nationals agreed to a two-year, $1.85 million deal on Friday. In 235 at-bats with the Mets in 2005, the 31-year-old utility player hit .264 with nine doubles, seven home runs and 19 RBIs.

11/16/2005

Jose Guillen, was

A recent MRI exam confirmed that Guillen has a partial muscle tear in his left shoulder. The Washington outfielder, who hurt the shoulder on a headfirst slide in June, will be examined by Dr. John Uribe in Miami on Friday. Guillen hit .283 with 24 home runs and 76 RBIs in 148 games last season.

Jose Vidro, was

Vidro will have an MRI exam on his right knee Wednesday, a day after an evaluation by Dr. John Uribe in Miami. The knee, which began bothering Vidro in 2003, became more problematic last summer. The Washington second baseman batted .275 with seven home runs and 32 RBIs in 87 games.

11/3/2005

Brian Lawrence, was

Looking for more power from their corner infielders, the San Diego Padres traded Lawrence and cash to the Washington Nationals for third baseman Vinny Castilla on Thursday. In 33 starts last season, Lawrence was 7-15 with a 4.83 ERA for the Padres.

Ryan Zimmerman, was

Zimmerman, the fourth overall pick in last June's draft, is in line to become Washington's starting third baseman in the spring after the Nationals traded Vinny Castilla to San Diego Thursday. Zimmerman paved the way for the deal in his first pro season by reaching Double-A Harrisburg and batting .326 with 20 doubles, nine homers and 32 RBIs in 63 games there. He hit .397 (23-for-58) with 10 doubles for Washington in September.

10/29/2005

Ramon Ortiz, was

The Cincinnati Reds have declined to pick up their option on Ortiz's contract. Instead, the pitcher will receive a $175,000 buyout and is now eligible for salary arbitration.

10/27/2005

Damian Jackson, was

Jackson has signed with the Washington Nationals, agreeing to a one-year contract. The 32-year-old utilityman spent the 2005 campaign with the San Diego Padres, batting .255 with five home runs, 23 RBI and 15 stolen bases in 118 games (275 at-bats).

Bernie Castro, was

Castro has signed with the Washington Nationals, agreeing to a one-year contract. The 26-year-old infielder spent the bulk of the 2005 campaign with the Baltimore Orioles' Triple-A affiliate in Ottawa, batting .315 with one home run, 36 RBI and 41 stolen bases in 126 games.

10/23/2005

Luis Ayala, was

Ayala is scheduled to undergo surgery on October 28 to remove a bone spur from his right elbow. The injury limited the righty setup man to just one appearance after September 1 in 2005. He was 8-7 with a save and a 2.66 ERA in 68 games.

10/17/2005

Ryan Wagner, was

Wagner, who last pitched in a game on July 7 because of shoulder tendinitis, has been throwing well and impressing Cincinnati officials in instructional league outings this fall. Reds GM Dan O'Brien says that Wagner has made adjustments to his delivery that should make him a contributor in 2006. In 42 games this season, he was 3-2 with a 6.11 ERA.

9/28/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen was hit by a pitch on the left hand in Washington's victory over the Florida Marlins Monday, and he said Tuesday afternoon that he might not play until Sunday, the final day of the season. The Nationals' outfielder said he expected to play the finale as a "thank you" to the team's fans.

9/24/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen will sit out Saturday after dropping his appeal of his one-game suspension for throwing equipment on the field after being ejected in the fifth inning of Washington's game against the Mets on Sept. 14.

Rick Short, was

Short will need surgery on a torn left labrum suffered in Friday's game against the New York Mets, and is expected to miss up to six months. The 32 year-old Short finally made the majors this season after playing 12 years and collecting more than 1,000 hits in the minors. Called up in June and then again in September, Short had six hits in 15 AB with the Nationals, including home runs off of John Smoltz and Dontrelle Willis.

9/23/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen has been suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount for his actions in a game against the New York Mets earlier this month. The Nationals' outfielder was ejected from the contest for arguing balls and strikes, and after being tossed, he proceded to litter the field with equipment. Unless he appeals the penalty, Guillen will sit out Friday's game against the Mets.

9/21/2005

Luis Ayala, was

Ayala, recovering from a bone spur in his pitching elbow, threw a simulated game on Monday. The 27-year-old righthander, who hasn't pitched out of the Washington bullpen since September 1, would like to return to game action before the season ends.

Ryan Wagner, was

Wagner, on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation since July 15, will not pitch for the Reds again this year. He'll throw one more simulated session for Cincinnati coaches and then go to the instructional league in Florida. In 42 games this season, he was 3-2 with a 6.11 ERA.

Bernie Castro, was

Castro could pick up a few more starts over the final days of the season after Baltimore's starting second baseman, Brian Roberts, suffered a dislocated left elbow in the Orioles' 12-9 loss to the New York Yankees on Tuesday night.

9/20/2005

Matthew LeCroy, was

LeCroy left in the eighth inning of Minnesota's Monday night loss to Oakland with a sore right big toe. The designated hitter was replaced by Terry Tiffee, who pinch-hit for him. LeCroy is day-to-day.

9/19/2005

Zach Day, was

Day suffered a fractured right thumb against Arizona Friday night, when he was struck by a line drive in the first inning. The fracture marked the end of an injury-challenged season. The 27-year-old righthander, who was dealt from Washington to Colorado in July, missed most of two months with a fractured wrist. He also battled shoulder tendinitis. Day finishes 1-3 with a 6.85 ERA in eight starts and nine relief appearances for Washington and Colorado.

9/15/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen was ejected from Washington's win over the Mets on Wednesday, and he celebrated his departure by littering the field with baseball equipment. The Nationals' outfielder could be facing a fine or suspension before the 2005 campaign comes to a close.

9/14/2005

Pedro Astacio, was

Sidelined since August 28 with a quad muscle he pulled running the bases, Astacio is ready to return to the San Diego rotation. He will start on Saturday against Washington, replacing Chan Ho Park in the starting five. Astacio is 4-10 with a 5.18 ERA in 19 starts and two relief appearances for the Padres.

Felipe Lopez, was

In what has become a breakout year, Lopez hit his 20th home run of 2005 on Tuesday night, a solo shot in Cincinnati's 4-3 loss to the Cubs. The Reds' shortstop has enjoyed his best summer in his fifth major league campaign. He's batting a career-high .279 with single-season bests in games (130), doubles (29), homers (20), RBI (70), on-base percentage (.333) and slugging (.471).

9/13/2005

John Patterson, was

Patterson has been scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday because of a sinus infection. The Washington righthander will be replaced by a string of relievers at Shea Stadium, according to Nationals manager Frank Robinson. Patterson is expected to take his next turn on Friday in San Diego.

9/12/2005

Pedro Astacio, was

Rehabbing a strained right quadriceps that he injured running the bases in late August, Astacio could come off the disabled list as soon as Monday. Despite four quality starts in August, in which he allowed no more than two runs in an outing, the Padres' righthander is expected to work out of the bullpen instead of picking up Tuesday's start. It may be a week or so before he is returned to the rotation.

9/11/2005

Ramon Ortiz, was

Ortiz notched the 10th complete game of his career and first since the 2003 campaign, going the distance in Saturday's victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds' righthander surrendered two runs on eight hits, striking out six and walking two.

9/9/2005

Jose Vidro, was

Vidro expressed his willingness, if not his readiness, to rejoin the starting lineup for the National this weekend as they square off for a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves.

Cristian Guzman, was

Guzman went 3-for-4 in the Nationals' 8-4 loss to the Marlins, to raise his batting average to .202, the first time he has surfaced above .200 since June 30.

Ryan Church, was

The Washington Nationals activated Church from the disabled list Friday, prior to the Nationals' game against division rival Atlanta. Church looked like a serious Rookie of the Year contender in late June, but a ribcage injury and a broken toe have slowed him down. So did the trade that brought outfielder Preston Wilson to the Nationals.

9/8/2005

Ryan Zimmerman, was

The fourth overall pick in this year's draft, Zimmerman made his first major league start Wednesday, going 1-for-4 with a double. He is the first of his draft class to see major league action, debuting with a pinch hitting appearance on September 1.

9/7/2005

Nick Johnson, was

Johnson took batting practice and fielded grounders on Tuesday, but the Nationals' first baseman still doesn't know when he'll be ready to return. The one thing Johnson can't do with his right heel injury is sprint, so it seems likely that Johnson will be ready for some defensive innings before he is set to rejoin the Washington lineup. He remains day-to-day.

9/6/2005

Keith Osik, was

The Nationals purchased the contract of Osik from Triple-A New Orleans.

Tony Armas, was

Armas has complained that his pitching shoulder is bothering him, but Washington team doctors haven't been able to identify a medical problem. After Armas gave up seven runs in four innings in his last outing -- his second straight poor start of less than five innings -- Nationals manager Frank Robinson has decided to pull the 27-year-old righthander from the rotation.

Nick Johnson, was

Johnson sat out Washington's games on Sunday and Monday with a bruised right heel, the same injury that sidelined him for most of July. He aggravated it running out a groundball Saturday and left in the third inning.

Jon Rauch, was

The Nationals activated pitcher Jon Rauch from the 60-day disabled list on Tuesday. Rauch was sidelined in May with a torn right labrum, and had surgery on May 31. In order to make room for the 6-foot-11 righthander, the team moved second baseman Junior Spivey from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL.

Ryan Drese, was

Drese, suffering from right shoulder tendinitis, was transferred to the Nationals' 60-day disabled list.

Luis Ayala, was

An MRI exam revealed a bone spur in Ayala's tender right elbow. The Washington reliever will miss at least the next week with the injury. The 27-year-old righthander is 8-7 with a 2.67 ERA and a save in 70.2 innings this season.

9/4/2005

Zach Day, was

The Rockies recalled Day on Sunday in time for him to make his first start in a Colorado uniform. Day, who was acquired in mid-July in a trade with Washington, will take the hill against the Dodgers at Coors Field. The righthander made a pair of relief appearances for the Rockies in July before being sent down to Triple-A Colorado Springs. In five starts for the Senators this season, Day went 1-2 with a 5.19 ERA.

9/3/2005

Kenny Kelly, was

Washington purchased Kelly's contract from Triple-A New Orleans on Friday. The outfielder has appeared in four games for Washington this season, but is yet to record an at-bat.

9/2/2005

Jose Vidro, was

Inflammation in his right knee will limit Vidro's availability in September. Washington manager Frank Robinson says the injury is "pretty serious," and Vidro may be limited to pinch-hitting duty for most of the month.

Cristian Guzman, was

If Guzman's starting job was at risk because of his poor performance, it may have been saved by Jose Vidro's bad right knee. Washington manager Frank Robinson says Vidro's knee may limit him to pinch-hitting duties down the stretch, and that could keep Guzman at short and move Deivi Cruz to second base for the injured veteran.

Rick Short, was

Short, who made his major league debut with the Washington Nationals at age 32 in July, was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on Friday. He finished the minor league season with hitting percentages of .383/.456/.569 in 108 games for New Orleans. In his earlier stint with the Nationals, he was 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI.

8/31/2005

Cristian Guzman, was

Guzman may see his starting job slip away as the Washington Nationals battle to remain in the National League wild-card hunt. On Tuesday, the Nationals acquired veteran shortstop Deivi Cruz from San Francisco.

8/30/2005

Pedro Astacio, was

Astacio was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Padres on Monday. He suffered a strained right quadriceps muscle while running the bases in Sunday's game against the Rockies. Since he has been pitching on six or seven days of rest, he will likely miss just one start.

Zach Day, was

The Colorado Rockies are expected to recall Day this week, after starting for Triple-A Colorado Springs on Tuesday. Acquired from Washington in mid-July, the 27-year-old righthander will audition for a 2006 job in the Rockies' rotation. He has gone 2-2 with a 5.23 ERA in six starts for Colorado Springs since the trade. Day will displace Jamey Wright in the rotation this weekend.

8/29/2005

Jay Bergmann, was

The Washington Nationals recalled Bergmann from Triple-A New Orleans over the weekend. The 23-year-old righthander made his major league debut on Sunday, recording the final four outs of Washington's 6-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Bergmann allowed one hit and fanned three of the five batters he faced.

8/25/2005

Marlon Byrd, was

The Washington Nationals will recall Byrd from Triple-A New Orleans in time for the start of their three-game weekend series against the St. Louis Cardinals. The outfielder will fill the roster spot of Ryan Church, who landed on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday with a broken toe.

Ryan Church, was

X-rays have revealed that Church has a broken toe on his right foot, an injury suffered when he was hit by a pitch in Wednesday's meeting with the Cincinnati Reds. The Nationals have placed the outfielder on the 15-day disabled list and plan to recall Marlon Byrd from Triple-A New Orleans to fill the spot on the roster.

8/24/2005

Tony Armas, was

Armas will undergo a precautionary MRI after leaving Tuesday's start against the Cincinnati Reds with discomfort in his pitching shoulder. Prior to his departure, the Nationals' righthander allowed four runs on six hits in just three-plus innings of work. He struck out three and walked one.

Ryan Drese, was

Due to lingering soreness in his pitching shoulder, Drese has been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Washington Nationals, retroactive to August 19. The righthander is 3-6 with a 4.98 ERA in 11 starts since joining the Nationals, but has taken the loss in his last five decisions. He will be replaced on the roster by reliever Travis Hughes.

Luis Ayala, was

Ayala has been diagnosed with tendinitis in his pitching elbow, and he will undergo a precautionary MRI to rule out any significant damage. The Nationals' righthander, who is 8-6 with a 2.55 ERA and one save in 66 relief appearances this season, has been listed as day-to-day.

Travis Hughes, was

The Washington Nationals have recalled Hughes from Triple-A New Orleans, filling the roster spot of righthander Ryan Drese, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore shoulder. In 49 appearances with the minor league club this season, Hughes went 2-4 with a 2.65 ERA and 12 saves.

8/22/2005

Alfonso Soriano, was

The Minnesota Twins have reportedly claimed Soriano off waivers in order to block an impending trade to another ball club.

8/19/2005

Matthew LeCroy, was

LeCroy hit his third home run in two days to help the Twins to a 7-3 win over the Seattle Mariners Thursday night. It was his 13th dinger of the year, in just 206 at bats.

Kevin Gryboski, was

Gryboski was fined an undisclosed amount and suspended for three games for what Major League Baseball termed "inappropriate actions" during an 8-7 loss to the Boston Red Sox on August 9.

8/17/2005

Kevin Gryboski, was

The Texas Ranger recalled reliever Scott Feldman from Double-A Frisco and optioned Gryboski to Triple-A Oklahoma on Tuesday. Gryboski has struggled with his control this season. He was 1-1 with an 11.17 ERA in 11 relief appearances for the Rangers. In 9.2 frames, he's given up 17 hits and eight walks.

Ryan Wagner, was

Wagner reported no major problems after throwing off a mound on Tuesday, as he continues to work his way back from inflammation in his pitching shoulder. The Reds' righthander, who has missed more than a month with the injury, has a bullpen session scheduled for later this week. He's still a couple weeks away from returning to the Cincinnati bullpen.

8/16/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen, who has been playing with a small tear in the rotator cuff in his left shoulder, now has tendinitis in his right (throwing) elbow, an MRI revealed on Monday. Despite the various ailments, the outfielder hopes to avoid missing any time in the near future. In hopes of taking some stress off Guillen's elbow, the Nationals have decided to move him from right field to left for the time being.

Wiki Gonzalez, was

The Seattle Mariners optioned Gonzalez to Triple-A Tacoma Friday and recalled catcher Miguel Ojeda. Gonzalez has batted .267 (12-for-45) for the Mariners this season, scoring seven runs in 14 games. He and Yorvit Torrealba have shared catching duties since the Mariners engineered two trades involving catchers before the July 31 trade deadline. Ojeda was acquired from San Diego at that time.

8/15/2005

Damian Jackson, was

With Khalil Greene suffering a fractured big toe over the weekend, Jackson will take over as San Diego's shortstop while Greene is out 2-3 weeks with his injury. Jackson, who has fared well as a utlity player for the Padres, is hitting .272 with 37 runs scored in 82 games this season.

Alfonso Soriano, was

When the Texas Rangers open a series in Cleveland Tuesday, Soriano will have a 14-game hitting streak on the line. The Rangers' second baseman is 20-for-57 (.351) with three doubles, three homers, 14 RBI and 11 runs scored during his 14-game run.

8/12/2005

Jose Guillen, was

After sitting out several days to rest his ailing left shoulder, Guillen struck out as a pinch-hitter in Wednesday's game against the Houston Astros, then returned to the starting lineup on Thursday and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run. The Nationals' outfielder has a small tear in his rotator cuff, but will not need surgery to correct the problem at this point.

8/9/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen likely will miss most of this week, but he won't need surgery to repair the small tear in his left rotator cuff, specialist Dr. James Andrews decided on Monday. The Nationals' outfielder will continue to receive treatment and strengthen the shoulder in hopes of returning to the lineup shortly. He is listed as day-to-day. For the season, Guillen is batting .296 with 19 home runs and 58 RBI in 103 games.

Felipe Lopez, was

Lopez' batting average has dipped to .279, the lowest it has been since early May. The Reds' shortstop has gone hitless in his last seven games, spanning 22 at-bats. In 75 games before the All-Star break, Lopez was batting .304 with 14 home runs, 48 RBI and six stolen bases, but since he has hit just .198 with two homers, seven RBI and five steals in 24 contests.

8/8/2005

Brian Schneider, was

Barring any setbacks, Schneider plans to return to the Washington Nationals' lineup for Tuesday's meeting with the Houston Astros. The catcher has missed nearly a week with bursitis in his right shoulder. Prior to his time off, Schneider was 6-for-12 (.500) with a home run, two RBI and a pair of walks in his last four games.

8/7/2005

Jose Guillen, was

An MRI exam of Guillen's right shoulder on Saturday revealed a possible tear in his rotator cuff. The Nationals don't believe Guillen's injury will require surgery, but they are having Dr. James Andrews review the MRI results.

8/6/2005

Alberto Castillo, was

The Kansas City Royals released Castillo on Saturday. The veteran catcher was batting just .210 in 34 games with the Royals this season.

8/5/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen's troublesome right shoulder forced him to miss Thursday's meeting with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The outfielder, who was replaced in the Nationals' lineup by Ryan Church, is listed as day-to-day, but hopes to be ready for the start of a three-game series against the San Diego Padres on Friday.

John Patterson, was

Patterson was at his best in Thursday's 7-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, notching the first complete game shutout of his major league career. The Nationals' righthander allowed just four hits, struck out a personal-best 13 and did not walk a batter. Over his last six starts (44 innings), Patterson has given up just five earned runs.

Brian Schneider, was

Schneider has been battling some bursitis in his right shoulder recently, so the Washington Nationals have decided to give him some time off. The catcher has missed the team's last two games with the injury, but hopes to return to action at some point during a three-game series against the San Diego Padres over the weekend. Officially, he has been listed as day-to-day.

7/31/2005

Jose Guillen, was

After reinjuring a sore right shoulder while sliding into third base on Friday night, Guillen isn't expected to play for the Washington Nationals until Tuesday. Manager Frank Robinson hopes he's ready to go when the Nationals host the Dodgers in a three-game set that begins on Tuesday.

Jose Vidro, was

Still bothered by a right thigh muscle injury, Vidro isn't expected to play for the Washington Nationals until Tuesday. The burning sensation in the thigh has been too significant to play through this weekend. Manager Frank Robinson hopes he's ready to go when the Nationals host the Dodgers in a three-game set that begins on Tuesday.

Wiki Gonzalez, was

Gonzalez was called up from Triple-A Tacoma, where he was hitting .297 with four homers and 17 RBI in 37 games. In earlier action with the Mariners this year, he has collect seven hits in 20 at-bats.

Marlon Byrd, was

Byrd was optioned to the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate in New Orleans, with Matt Cepicky taking his place on the major league roster.

7/30/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen was a late scratch from the Washington lineup for Saturday's game against the Florida Marlins because of a left shoulder injury. He was replaced in right field by Ryan Church.

Jose Vidro, was

Vidro was a late scratch from Saturday's game against the Florida Marlins because of a right thigh injury. He was replaced in the Washington lineup by Jamey Carroll.

7/28/2005

Marlon Anderson, was

Anderson notched the first multihomer game of his major league career, belting a pair of solo home runs in Wednesday's 9-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Going into the game, the light-hitting infielder had just one homer in his previous 145 at-bats this season.

Kenny Kelly, was

Kelly has cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A New Orleans. The outfielder was designated for assignment by the Washington Nationals earlier this week to make room on the roster for first baseman Nick Johnson.

7/27/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Although his bruised right wrist was still a bit sore, Guillen was in the Nationals' lineup for Tuesday's matchup with the Atlanta Braves. The outfielder, who was hit by a pitch on Sunday, did not appear to be bothered by the injury, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Nick Johnson, was

After missing a month of action with a bruised right heel, Johnson was activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Washington Nationals in time for Tuesday's meeting with the Atlanta Braves. The first baseman struggled in his return, going 0-for-4 with a strikeout. Outfielder Kenny Kelly was designated for assignment to open a spot on the roster.

Kenny Kelly, was

Opening a spot on the roster for first baseman Nick Johnson, the Washington Nationals have designated Kelly for assignment. The outfielder, who was claimed off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds last week, appeared in just three games during his brief stint with the Nationals, but did not record an at-bat. He went 3-for-9 with two RBI and three strikeouts in seven games with the Reds earlier this season.

Marlon Byrd, was

Byrd will not have to serve a two-game suspension for making contact with umpire Joe Brinkman on June 4 after winning his appeal in front of MLB on Tuesday. However, the Nationals' outfielder still will be forced to pay an undisclosed fine for being ejected from the contest. In 50 games with the Nationals this season, he is batting .245 with 16 RBI and two stolen bases.

Chad Cordero, was

Cordero blew his second save of the month and fourth of the 2005 campaign, allowing a run on two hits in the ninth inning of Tuesday's extra-inning loss to the Atlanta Braves. Despite the minor hiccup, the Nationals' righthander is still one of the top closers in the league this season, going 2-2 with a 1.17 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 34 saves in 52 relief appearances. He's struck out 46 and walked 12 in 53.2 innings of work.

7/26/2005

Zach Day, was

Day continues to battle some minor discomfort in his pitching shoulder, but instead of placing him on the 15-day disabled list, the Colorado Rockies have optioned the righthander to Triple-A Colorado Springs to work through the issue. Day, who was acquired from the Washington Nationals earlier this month, is scheduled to take the mound for the minor league club on Saturday, as long as no problems are reported following a bullpen session on Wednesday.

7/25/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen was forced to leave Sunday's game against the Houston Astros after taking a pitch off his right wrist in the ninth inning. The Nationals' outfielder was taken to a hospital for X-rays, which were negative, and he has been listed as day-to-day with a bruise. He was 0-for-3 prior to his departure.

John Patterson, was

Due to a lack of run support, Patterson did not figure into the decision in Sunday's extra-inning loss to the Houston Astros, despite turning in one of his best performances of the 2005 campaign. The Nationals' righthander allowed just one run on six hits over eight innings, striking out a career-high 10. He did not walk a batter.

7/22/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Following Thursday's loss to the Houston Astros, Guillen said he is considering getting a cortisone shot in the next day or two, which would force him to miss at least a couple of games. The Nationals' outfielder has been playing through pain in his shoulder, ribs and foot, all on his left side.

Kevin Gryboski, was

The Atlanta Braves have traded Gryboski to the Texas Rangers in exchange for minor league righthander Matt Lorenzo. In 31 relief appearances this season, the righthanded Gryboski has posted a 2.95 ERA and 1.69 WHIP.

7/20/2005

Felix Rodriguez, was

Rodriguez returned from the disabled list on Tuesday, more than two months after he was hurt stepping out of the shower and underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The Yankees' lefthander worked a scoreless seventh inning in New York's 2-1 loss to Texas Tuesday night. After his appearance on Tuesday, Rodriguez has a 4.97 ERA in 12 games this season.

John Patterson, was

Patterson turned in his best performance of the 2005 campaign and notched his first win since June 11 in Tuesday's 4-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies. The Nationals' righthander scattered just three hits over eight scoreless innings, struck out eight and walked two. He has allowed two or fewer runs in each of his last five starts.

Kenny Kelly, was

The Washington Nationals have claimed Kelly off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds, replacing veteran first baseman Wil Cordero, who was designated for assignment on Wednesday. Kelly, an outfielder, has appeared in just seven major league games this season, going 3-for-9 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Austin Kearns, was

Kearns has been recalled from Triple-A Louisville by the Cincinnati Reds. The outfielder was optioned to the minor league club last month after batting just .224 with six home runs and 25 RBI in 51 games this season. He has since regained his stroke at the plate, hitting .342 with seven homers and 21 RBI in 28 contests at Louisville.

7/19/2005

Daryle Ward, was

After batting .292 in June, Ward has had a difficult time finding his groove this month. In 14 games in July, the Pirates' first baseman has posted a .170 average with no home runs and just four RBI. He is hitless in his last 22 at-bats, dropping his overall season batting average to .258 -- the lowest it has been since May 11.

Tony Armas, was

Armas tossed just 31 pitches in Monday's meeting with the Colorado Rockies, leaving in the third inning because of dizziness and dehydration. The Nationals' righthander, who was replaced on the mound by Joey Eischen, allowed one run on three hits and two walks prior to his departure. He struck out one and did not figure into the decision.

7/17/2005

Damian Jackson, was

Jackson belted a solo home run in Saturday's win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, extending his current hitting streak to a career-high 11 games. Over that span, the Padres' infielder is 18-for-42 (.429) with three doubles, one home run, five RBI and four stolen bases.

7/15/2005

Ryan Wagner, was

The Cincinnati Reds on Friday placed Wagner on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right shoulder. The young righthander, who turned 23 on Friday, has struggled since early June, and he is 3-2 with a 6.11 ERA in 42 games this season. He has been bothered by shoulder discomfort for roughly a month.

7/14/2005

Zach Day, was

The Washington Nationals on Wednesday dealt Day, outfielder J.J. Davis and a player to be named or cash considerations to the Colorado Rockies for Preston Wilson and cash considerations. Day, who is recovering from a fractured right radius, is expected to join the Rockies' bullpen on Friday. He was 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA in 12 games (five starts) for Washington before he was injured.

7/13/2005

Henry Mateo, was

To make room for Mike Stanton on the 40-man roster, the Washington Nationals move Mateo from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday. The 28-year-old infielder, who is 0-for-1 with a walk for the Nationals this season, has been out nearly all year with shoulder tendinitis. The discomfort has been a problem following surgery to repair a torn labrum last September.

Marlon Byrd, was

With Ryan Church coming off the disabled list on Wednesday, Byrd is likely to play less in the Washington outfield. Byrd, who had been starting in place of Church in left field, is batting .252 in 43 games for the Nationals.

Ryan Church, was

Out since June 23 with a Grade 1 shoulder separation, Church was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday. The Washington left fielder is hitting .325 with seven homers and 28 RBI in 160 at-bats this season. His return means Marlon Byrd will play less in the Nationals' outfield.

Tony Blanco, was

Battling vertigo as a result of a sinus infection, Blanco was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. The Rule 5 pick is 11-for-44 (.250) with a homer in 39 games for the Nationals this season.

7/12/2005

Nick Johnson, was

Johnson experienced discomfort in his bruised right heel while running in the outfield last Friday, so his scheduled rehab assignment at Triple-A Harrisburg has been pushed back indefinitely. The Nationals had hoped that the first baseman would be able to return to the big league lineup immediately after the All-Star break. Johnson is hitting .320 with eight homers and 42 ribbies on the season, but he has been out of the lineup since June 26.

7/11/2005

Alfonso Soriano, was

Soriano returned to Panama to be with his wife for the birth of the couple's second child and missed Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays as a result. The second baseman, who was replaced in the Rangers' lineup by Mark DeRosa, is expected to travel to Detroit in time for Tuesday's All-Star game. He'll also rejoin the Rangers after the break.

Nick Johnson, was

Barring any setbacks over the next couple of days, Johnson is scheduled to be activated by the Washington Nationals immediately following the All-Star break. A bruised right heel has kept the first baseman sidelined since June 26 and landed him on the 15-day disabled list. He currently is on a minor league rehab assignment.

7/10/2005

Pedro Astacio, was

The Padres purchased Astacio's contract from Triple-A Portland and will start him on the mound against the Colorado Rockies in today's game at Coors Field.

Ryan Church, was

Church could be activated from the disabled list as soon as today, as Tony Blanco is suffering from a sinus infection that has caused vertigo symptoms. Church has been out since June 23 with a Grade 1 shoulder separation.

Tony Blanco, was

Blanco is suffering from vertigo, a result from a sinus infection, which could land him on the disabled list.

7/7/2005

Jose Guillen, was

The illness Guillen has been battling over the past few days finally got the best of him, as the outfielder was scratched from the Nationals' starting lineup just prior to Thursday afternoon's meeting with the New York Mets. However, he came in as a replacement late in the contest, flied out as a pinch-hitter and played defense the last couple of innings.

7/6/2005

Cristian Guzman, was

Guzman reported no problems with his strained hamstring after running and taking some grounders prior to Tuesday's meeting with the New York Mets. Barring any setbacks, the Nationals' shortstop hopes to return to the starting lineup within the next day or two. He has been sidelined since June 30.

7/5/2005

Jose Vidro, was

Vidro has been activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Washington Nationals after missing the last two months with a partially torn tendon in his left ankle. The second baseman, who suffered the injury on a slide at home plate in a game against the Dodgers, takes the roster spot of demoted infielder Rick Short. Prior to the injury, Vidro was hitting .290 with four home runs and 15 RBI in 28 games this season.

Chad Cordero, was

On Tuesday, Cordero was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for the month of June. The Nationals' closer was good on all 15 save opportunities he had, and did not allow a run in the 16 1/3 innings he pitched. The 15 saves that he converted in the month tied a major league record set by Lee Smith in 1993 and John Wetteland in 1996. Cordero had converted 26 consecutive saves before having his streak snapped by the Cubs on July 3.

Rick Short, was

Short has been optioned to Triple-A New Orleans by the Washington Nationals, opening a spot on the roster for second baseman Jose Vidro, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday. During his two brief stints with the major league club, Short appeared in just three games, going 1-for-2 with a walk and RBI.

7/4/2005

Nick Johnson, was

Johnson, who is battling a bruised right heel, reported improvement on Sunday, and seemed optimistic that he would be available within the next couple of days. However, the Nationals have decided to place the first baseman on the 15-day disabled list to give him time to fully recover. The move is retroactive to June 27, meaning Johnson will be available to return shortly after the All-Star break.

Felipe Lopez, was

Lopez took a pitch off the left hand Sunday and left Cincinnati's 9-0 loss to Houston. The Reds' shortstop, selected to the National League All-Star team over the weekend, may miss a few games, but X-rays were negative and the injury doesn't appear to be serious. Lopez is batting .321 with 14 homers and 48 RBI on the season.

7/3/2005

Cristian Guzman, was

Guzman, out with a hamstring injury that he aggravated on Thursday, was doing much better on Saturday. He rode a stationary bike without problems, but he will not play in Washington's series finale in Chicago on Sunday. It's possible he'll be ready to go when the Nationals return home to host the New York Mets on Monday.

Nick Johnson, was

Johnson felt much better on Saturday, after taking an anti-inflammatory injection in his injured heel Thursday. The Nationals' first baseman won't play on Sunday against the Cubs, but before the game he hopes to take some swings for the first time since injuring the heel June 26 against Toronto. Unless he suffers a setback, Johnson should return sometime during the Nats' series with the Mets, which begins on Monday.

7/2/2005

Nick Johnson, was

Johnson received an anti-inflammatory shot in his injured heel on Thursday, but is not expected to be able to play this weekend. The first baseman is hitting .320 with eight home runs and 42 RBI for the Nationals on the season.

7/1/2005

Cristian Guzman, was

Guzman aggravated his troublesome left hamstring while running out a bunt in the eighth inning of Thursday's win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, and according to the Nationals, he likely will be sidelined until at least Sunday. The shortstop, who missed some time in May with the same ailment, is batting just .201 with three home runs, 13 RBI and three stolen bases in 76 games this season, his first with Washington.

Cristian Guzman, was

Guzman aggravated his troublesome left hamstring while running out a bunt in the eighth inning of Thursday's win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, and according to the Nationals, he likely will be sidelined until at least Monday. The shortstop, who missed some time in May with the same ailment, is batting just .201 with three home runs, 13 RBI and three stolen bases in 76 games this season, his first with Washington.

Rick Short, was

The Washington Nationals have purchased Short's contract from Triple-A New Orleans, filling the roster spot of outfielder Ryan Church, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a slight shoulder separation. The 32-year-old first baseman made his major league debut earlier this month, notching an RBI single in his only at-bat.

6/30/2005

Pedro Astacio, was

Astacio, who was designated for assignment and later released by the Texas Rangers earlier this month, has signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. The veteran righthander made 12 starts with the Rangers prior to being cut, going 2-8 with a 6.04 ERA.

Joey Eischen, was

Eischen has been activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Washington Nationals, and he will be available when the team begins a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. The 35-year-old lefthander has been sidelined since breaking his right arm when he jumped off the mound to grab a high chopper in a game against the Mets on May 1.

Jose Vidro, was

The Washington Nationals continue to be extra cautious with Vidro and don't plan to bring him back until he has fully recovered from a partially torn tendon in his ankle. The second baseman, who has been sidelined since early May, is slated to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Class-A Potomac on Thursday. In 28 games this season, he is hitting .290 with four home runs and 15 RBI.

Ryan Church, was

Church has not recovered from his strained shoulder as quickly as the Nationals would have hoped, so the team has placed him on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 23. The outfielder suffered a Grade 1 separation of the shoulder when he collided with the outfield wall while making a catch in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates last week. Marlon Byrd should see most of the starts in left field during his absence.

Travis Hughes, was

Hughes has been optioned to Triple-A New Orleans by the Washington Nationals to open a spot on the roster for veteran lefthander Joey Eischen, who will be activated from the 15-day disabled list in time for Friday's game against the Chicago Cubs. The 27-year-old righthander appeared in just four games during his short stint with the major league club, allowing two runs and striking out three in 4.1 scoreless innings.

6/29/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Already playing with a sore shoulder, an injury reportedly suffered over the weekend, Guillen was plunked on the hand by a pitch from Josh Fogg in Tuesday's victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The outfielder remained in the lineup and hopes to avoid missing any time going forward. He finished the night 1-for-2 with a double and a walk.

Chad Cordero, was

Tossing a perfect ninth inning in Tuesday's victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cordero notched his 23rd save in a row, tying a franchise record for consecutive saves. The Nationals' closer is 2-1 in 38 relief appearances this season and currently leads the major leagues with 26 saves. He boasts a 0.92 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.

6/28/2005

Nick Johnson, was

Further tests on Johnson's ailing right heel have revealed a deep bone bruise, an injury suffered while running the bases late in Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. According to the Nationals, the first baseman likely will miss the next 3-7 days. Wil Cordero is expected to step into the lineup during Johnson's absence, but outfielder Brad Wilkerson could shift to first base as well.

6/27/2005

Damian Jackson, was

Jackson tied his career high with four hits -- including two home runs -- in Sunday's victory over the Seattle Mariners. The Padres' infielder notched solo shots in the first and eighth inning to record the first multihomer game of his major league career. He has just 26 home runs in 689 career contests.

Nick Johnson, was

Johnson bruised his right heel while running the bases late in Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays and was replaced in the Nationals' lineup by Wil Cordero. The first baseman underwent precautionary X-rays, which were negative, and he will be re-evaluated on Monday to determine his status and availability. He was 0-for-2 with an RBI, two walks and a run scored prior to his departure.

Zach Day, was

After missing the last month with a small fracture in his right wrist, Day has declared himself pain-free and is ready to return to the mound. However, the Nationals will bring the righthander along slowly, and he is likely a couple of weeks from being activated from the 15-day disabled list. Day is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Tuesday, and if all goes well, he'll be sent on a minor league rehab assignment shortly thereafter.

Ryan Church, was

Church has been sidelined since colliding wtih the outfield wall while making a catch in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates last week. Tests have revealed that the Nationals' outfielder has a Grade 1 separation of his left shoulder, an injury that is not considered severe. He will continue to receive treatment on a regular basis, and the team is hopeful that he will be back in the lineup within the next couple of days.

6/24/2005

Jose Vidro, was

Other than being a bit tired, Vidro reported no problems after taking batting practice, playing catch and running in the outfield with the Nationals on Thursday. Barring any setbacks, the second baseman will be sent on a minor league rehab assignment next week, and if all goes well, he could be back in the Washington lineup as early as next weekend. He has been sidelined since May 4 with a partially torn tendon in his ankle.

6/23/2005

Kenny Kelly, was

Tests have revealed that Kelly has a torn meniscus in his left knee, an injury suffered while making a leaping catch against the wall in Tuesday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds' outfielder underwent surgery to repair the damage on Thursday, and he is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks. The Reds will place him on the 15-day disabled list.

6/22/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen notched his second multihomer game in the last three days and eighth of his major league career, belting two solo home runs in the early innings of Wednesday's win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The outfielder added a couple of singles to finish the contest 4-for-5, improving his season batting average to .298. He now has 15 home runs on the season.

6/21/2005

Pedro Astacio, was

After designating Astacio for assignment last Friday, the Rangers have officially released the 14-year veteran. Astacio was only 2-8 with a 6.04 ERA in 12 starts, and had lost seven of his last eight decisions.

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen went 2-for-5 with a pair of solo home runs in Monday's victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, recording the seventh multihomer game of his major league career. Over his last five contests, the Nationals' outfielder is 8-for-23 (.348) with three home runs, four RBI and four runs scored.

6/20/2005

Jose Vidro, was

Vidro continues to progress well in his recovery from a partially torn tendon in his ankle. The Nationals' second baseman, who has been sidelined for more than a month, recently had the protective boot removed from his foot, and he reportedly took some batting practice over the weekend.

6/19/2005

Luis Matos, was

The Orioles activated Matos from the disabled list on Saturday. Matos, who injured his right ring finger on May 10, will return as the starting center fielder on Sunday. Utility man David Newhan was sent to the minors to make room on the roster for Matos.

6/18/2005

T.J. Tucker, was

Tucker has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hyperextended right elbow. The Nationals' pitcher attempted to play through the injury, but had to be removed in the eighth inning of Friday night's loss to the Texas Rangers. To take Tucker's roster spot, Washington has recalled Travis Hughes from Triple-A New Orleans.

Travis Hughes, was

The Washington Nationals recalled Hughes from Triple-A New Orleans on Saturday. He takes the roster spot of T.J. Tucker, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hyperextended pitching elbow.

6/17/2005

Pedro Astacio, was

Astacio may be reaching the end of the line with Texas, as the Rangers reportedly are contemplating whether to release the 35-year-old righthander. The move could come before his scheduled start on Sunday against Washington. The Rangers may be prepared to give that assignment to rookie lefthander C.J. Wilson.

Pedro Astacio, was

The Texas Rangers designated Astacio for assignment on Friday afternoon. The Rangers have 10 days to trade or release the 35-year-old righthander, who was 2-8 with a 6.04 ERA in 12 starts.

6/16/2005

Ryan Drese, was

After allowing at least five runs in four of his five previous starts, Drese was a different man in his Washington Nationals debut. On Wednesday night, the 29-year-old righthander limited the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to two hits and four walks over eight scoreless innings for a 1-0 Washington win. Drese improved his overall record to 5-6 between Texas and Washington, with a 5.79 ERA in 13 starts. He was claimed on waivers by the Nationals on June 10.

6/14/2005

Alfonso Soriano, was

In his best game since missing a few days last week with a mild hamstring strain, Soriano powered two homers and drove in four runs to spark Texas to a 7-3 win over Atlanta Monday. The Rangers' second baseman homered twice off Atlanta righthander Tim Hudson.

Ryan Drese, was

While Drese was expected to get some work out of the Washington bullpen before making a start, that plan has changed. Drese will start for the Nationals on Wednesday, when he faces Bartolo Colon and the Angels in an interleague game.

6/13/2005

Alfonso Soriano, was

After missing a few days with a mild hamstring strain, Soriano returned to the Texas lineup for games Saturday and Sunday against Florida. The Rangers' second baseman went 2-for-6 and scored three runs over the weekend.

Rick Short, was

After parts of 12 seasons in the minors, Short's stint in the majors barely lasted 48 hours. The Washington Nationals designated the 32-year-old infielder for assignment on Saturday. No matter whether he ever surfaces again in the majors, he leaves with a 1.000 career average (1-for-1) and a major league RBI.

6/12/2005

Kenny Kelly, was

The Reds sent Austin Kearns to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday and called up Kelly to fill the vacant roster spot. Kelly's only previous big league exposure came in September 2000 with the Devil Rays. The outfielder is hitting .332 in 211 at-bats at Louisville this season.

Austin Kearns, was

The Reds optioned Kearns to Triple-A Louisville prior to their game against the Orioles on Sunday. The outfielder is slumping badly, and he is having a hard time finding regular work with Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr. and Wily Mo Pena all playing well. Kearns has gone hitless in 10 of his last 11 games, and his average for the season has plummeted to .224.

6/11/2005

Alfonso Soriano, was

Soriano, who has been out of the Rangers' starting lineup the last four games with a hamstring strain, is very close to returning, according to Texas manager Buck Showalter.

6/10/2005

Carlos Baerga, was

Baerga has been getting some starts at second base late in the week, as Jamey Carroll has been nursing a sore left ankle. While Carroll said he'll be ready to play against Seattle this weekend, Washington manager Frank Robinson said his starting baseman may be out of action for a few days.

Jeffrey Hammonds, was

Hammonds, a veteran of 13 big league seasons who played with six different teams, including the surprising Washington Nationals, announced his retirement from baseball on Friday. The fourth overall pick in the 1992 draft by Baltimore, the 34-year-old Hammonds was plagued by injuries over his career. He finished with a .272 average and 110 home runs in 957 games. He hit 21 homers for Baltimore in 1997, and his career year was a .335-20-106 season with Colorado in 2000.

Jose Vidro, was

Vidro is still wearing a protective boot on his left foot after suffering a high ankle sprain and torn peroneal tendon against the Dodgers on May 4. But he was seen on the RFK Stadium diamond before Washington's 4-3 win over Oakland Thursday, playing catch with his sons and handling a few flyballs. Vidro says the boot is coming off this weekend, and he should be exercising the ankle soon after that. He still is on course to return after the All-Star break.

Ryan Drese, was

On the same day that they traded righthander Tomo Ohka to Milwaukee, the Washington Nationals claimed Drese off waivers from Texas. Drese was 4-6 with a 6.46 ERA in 12 starts for the Rangers.

6/9/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen was hit in the hand by a pitch from Oakland's Keiichi Yabu on Wednesday. The Washington outfielder didn't leave the game, but it's possible he will get a day off Thursday, when the Nationals and A's wrap up their interleague series in Washington.

Nick Johnson, was

Johnson went 2-for-3 against Oakland for a second straight day, and the Washington first baseman is on a 16-for-28 tear (.571) in which he has five doubles, seven RBI and 10 runs scored in nine games. He has scored in all nine contests and has six mulihit games over that stretch. With six walks and a hit-by-pitch as well, he has been on base in two-thirds of his plate appearances in those nine games.

Marlon Byrd, was

Byrd was suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount Thursday by Major League Baseball for knocking over umpire Joe Brinkman during an argument with another umpire on June 4. Brinkman and Byrd collided when the 61-year-old ump stuck out his arm to get in between Byrd and the umpire who had called Byrd out on a strike-three call.

Ryan Church, was

Church went 4-for-5 with a solo homer and a two-run triple on Wednesday, boosting Washington to a 7-2 win over Oakland. The rookie outfielder has been red-hot since the start of May. In his last 27 games, he is 34-for-83 (.410) with seven doubles, two triples, three homers and 19 RBI.

Rick Short, was

Short, who is in his 12th season in the minor leagues and never has appeared in the majors, was recalled by the Washington Nationals Wednesday after the club outrighted lefthander C.J. Nitkowski to Triple-A New Orleans. The 32-year-old infielder was hitting .341 with 16 doubles, five homers and 30 RBI for New Orleans. He's waited a long time to make his major league debut.

6/8/2005

Alfonso Soriano, was

After leaving Sunday's game with a mild hamstring strain, Soriano was not in the Texas Rangers' lineup on Tuesday. While he did single as a pinch-hitter Tuesday night before leaving for a pinch-runner, the Rangers' second baseman probably will not be in the lineup for the rest of series against the Philadelphia Phillies. He may get his some pinch-hitting at-bats this week before returning to regular duty.

Ramon Ortiz, was

Ortiz was unable to make it out of the second inning in Tuesday's meeting with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, being pulled in favor of reliever Randy Keisler. Prior to his departure, the Reds' veteran righthander surrendered six runs on seven hits in just 1.2 innings of work. He struck out one and walked two.

Nick Johnson, was

Johnson was 2-for-3 with a double, home run, two RBI and a walk in Tuesday's victory over the Oakland A's, continuing his hot hitting. Over his last eight games, the Nationals' first baseman is 14-for-25 (.560) with five doubles, one triple, a homer and seven RBI. He's also scored in every contest and drawn six walks over that span.

Ryan Drese, was

After allowing five runs on eight hits in just 2.2 innings in a loss to the Phillies on Tuesday, Drese has been designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers. The righthander has struggled most of the season, going 4-6 with a 6.46 ERA. Reliever Nick Regilio was recalled from the minor leagues to replace Drese on the roster.

6/7/2005

Valerio de los Santos, was

Looking to jump start their bullpen, the Florida Marlins have purchased de los Santos' contract from Class-A Jupiter. The veteran lefthander, who posted a 6.17 ERA in 17 relief appearances with the Toronto Blue Jays last season, takes the roster spot of fellow southpaw Matt Perisho.

Alfonso Soriano, was

Soriano's left hamstring showed improvement on Monday, and there's a chance the Rangers' second baseman will able to play against Philadelphia on Tuesday. He will test out the hammy earlier in the day before a decision is made.

6/6/2005

Felix Rodriguez, was

On Monday, Rodriguez played catch for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in mid-May. The lefthanded reliever, who ditched his crutches over the weekend, was hurt while getting out of a shower. A July return is likely.

Alfonso Soriano, was

Soriano left in the seventh inning of Texas' 8-1 win over Kansas City Sunday, bothered by a slight hamstring strain. It's the same lefty hammy that sidelined the Rangers' second baseman for the final two weeks of last season -- and bothered him into spring training -- but Texas trainer Jamie Reed said it's a completely different injury and shouldn't put Soriano on the shelf for more than a few days. Soriano is day-to-day.

6/1/2005

Felipe Lopez, was

Lopez, who has taken over at shortstop for Cincinnati in recent weeks, has the longest active hitting streak in the National League at 13 games. The 25-year-old Lopez is 17-for-56 (.304) during his 13-game run, with four doubles, four homers, eight RBI and 12 runs scored.

Jon Rauch, was

As scheduled, Rauch underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a labrum tear in his pitching shoulder. The Nationals' righthander will begin a rehab program shortly, and the team hopes he can resume throwing in about six weeks. The 26-year-old Rauch has a 1-3 record and 4.00 ERA in eight relief appearances for Washington in 2005.

Zach Day, was

Day was sent to the minor leagues by the Washington Nationals late last week, but the move has been voided after an MRI revealed a small fracture in the pitcher's right wrist. Instead, the righthander has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 28. He suffered the injury when he was hit on the arm by a liner off the bat of Ken Griffey in a game against Cincinnati on May 23.

5/31/2005

Brian Schneider, was

Schneider was forced to leave Monday's game against the Atlanta Braves after getting struck on the left hand by Marcus Giles' backswing. The catcher, who was replaced in the Nationals' lineup by Gary Bennett, will be re-evaluated on Tuesday to determine the extent of the injury.

Tyrell Godwin, was

Opening a spot on the roster for Tuesday's starting pitcher John Patterson, Godwin has been optioned to Triple-A New Orleans by the Washington Nationals. The 25-year-old outfielder, who made his major league debut after having his contract purchased last week, went hitless in three pinch-hit appearances in his short time with the Nationals.

5/30/2005

Jose Vidro, was

Reportedly, Vidro will be sporting a protective boot on his left foot for another three weeks before being re-evaluated. The Nationals' second baseman, who has been sidelined for nearly a month with a partially torn tendon in his ankle, hopes to be cleared to begin rehab at that time. If that is the case, Vidro likely won't be back in the Washington lineup until after the All-Star break.

John Patterson, was

Patterson will be activated from the disabled list and start for Washington on Tuesday, when the Nationals face the Atlanta Braves at RFK Stadium. The 27-year-old righthander had been out with a back ailment. He is 2-1 with a 2.98 ERA in seven starts this season.

Jon Rauch, was

Rauch will have surgery on his throwing shoulder Tuesday, and the Nationals will have a better sense of when the righthander might be able to pitch again after the procedure. An MRI exam last week appeared to show a torn labrum in his right shoulder, but the severity of the injury is uncertain.

5/27/2005

Felipe Lopez, was

In Thursday's loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Lopez belted his second home run in as many days and extended his current hit streak to eight games. Over that span, the Reds' shortstop is batting 11-for-32 (.344) with two doubles, three home runs, six RBI and three stolen bases.

5/26/2005

T.J. Tucker, was

Tucker has been activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Washington Nationals after missing more than a month with a strained right groin. The righthander fills the roster spot of fellow pitcher Jon Rauch, who is out with a torn labrum.

Luis Matos, was

Matos has been out since May 10 after fracturing his right ring finger while attempting to lay down a bunt against the Minnesota Twins. The Orioles' center fielder got the stitches taken out of his finger on Wednesday, but he is believed to be a couple of weeks away from returning.

Jon Rauch, was

Rauch is expected to miss at least two months after being diagnosed with a labrum tear in his pitching shoulder. The Nationals' righthander, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday, will be evaluated over the next several days to determine if surgery is necessary.

Zach Day, was

Day began the season in the Washington Nationals' starting rotation, but struggled in the role and was moved to the bullpen. Now, after allowing five runs over just two innings in Wednesday's loss to the Cincinnati Reds, the righthander has been designated for assignment. He will be replaced on the roster by C.J. Nitkowski, who signed with the team on Thursday.

Tyrell Godwin, was

The Washington Nationals have purchased Godwin's contract from Triple-A New Orleans, filling the roster spot of starting pitcher John Patterson, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday. In 44 games with the minor league club this season, the outfielder was batting .333 with nine doubles, two home runs, 12 RBI and 11 stolen bases.

5/25/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen notched the sixth multihomer game of his major league career and second of the 2005 campaign, going deep twice in Wednesday's loss to the Cincinnati Reds. The Nationals' outfielder, who was 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored on the day, connected for solo homers in the sixth and eighth innings.

John Patterson, was

Patterson has been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Washington Nationals, retroactive to May 6. On Monday, the Nationals' righthander needed an IV while receiving treatment on ailing back, and the IV inflamed a vain in his arm and aggravated his wrist. He was scheduled to start on Wednesday, but Claudio Vargas will get the nod instead.

5/24/2005

John Patterson, was

Not only is Patterson battling back problems, but he's also nursing stiffness in his right wrist as well. On Monday, the Nationals' righthander needed an IV while receiving treatment on back, and the IV inflamed a vain in his arm and aggravated his wrist. As a result, he will not take the mound on Wednesday as had been scheduled, and a timetable for his return has not been set.

5/23/2005

Jeffrey Hammonds, was

Hammonds was pulled from Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays after pulling his right hamstring while running the bases in the fifth inning. Although the severity of the injury won't be known until he is re-evaluated on Monday, the Nationals have decided to place the outfielder on the 15-day disabled list. Filling his spot on the roster will be infielder Brendan Harris, who was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans.

Ramon Ortiz, was

A grounder caromed off Ortiz' face in the sixth inning of Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Indians, forcing the Reds' starter from the game. The righthander, who allowed three runs on 10 hits in 5.2 innings prior to his departure, had a bruise and some swelling below his left eye. The injury is considered minor, and Ortiz expects to be ready for his next turn in the rotation.

Ryan Wagner, was

With Danny Graves being designated for assignment on Monday, the Reds likely will turn to Wagner in the majority of save situations going forward. The righthander, who doesn't turn 23 until mid-July, was tabbed as the franchise's closer of the future after being selected with the 14th overall pick in the 2003 Draft. However, he has yet to record a save in 88 relief appearances.

Tony Blanco, was

Normally a corner infielder, Blanco should see some consistent playing time in the Nationals' outfield over the next several days, as Jeffrey Hammonds landed on the DL with a hamstring injury and Brad Wilkerson is expected to miss a few days with an arm problem. Blanco belted the first home run of his major league career in Sunday's win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

5/22/2005

Kevin Gryboski, was

On Sunday, the Atlanta Braves activated Gryboski from the disabled list. The righthanded reliever has been battling a viral infection. Before he went on the DL, Gryboski had posted a 1.29 ERA in 11 relief appearances for the Braves. To make room for his return, Frank Brooks was optioned to Triple-A Richmond.

5/21/2005

John Patterson, was

Patterson, who is battling a sore back, will miss his scheduled start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. The pitcher said that he should be able to make his next start, which would be Wednesday.

5/20/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Despite a combination of ribcage and left triceps injuries, Guillen is expected to play this weekend when Washington squares off against Toronto. That's the word from Nationals manager Frank Robinson. Guillen, who has been out of the Washington lineup the last three days, is batting .296 with eight home runs and 22 RBI in 38 games.

Luis Matos, was

Baltimore team doctors are all but certain that Matos will not need surgery for the fractured right ring finger he suffered on May 10. If the Orioles' center fielder avoids surgery, he could return as soon as three weeks. A more specific timetable may be known after Matos is re-examined in about a week.

5/19/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Nursing a pulled muscle in his right ribcage and sore left triceps, Guillen has been absent from the Washington Nationals' lineup the last three days. The outfielder is feeling better after his time off, and barring any last-minute setbacks, he will return to action on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays.

John Patterson, was

Patterson is battling some minor soreness in his lower back, and as a precautionary measure, he will be skipped this time through the Nationals' starting rotation. The righthander, who was scheduled to take the mound against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, will be replaced by Claudio Vargas. He will continue to receive treatment on a daily basis.

5/18/2005

Jim Crowell, was

Crowell surrendered six runs on six hits in just 1.1 innings of work in Tuesday's loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Florida Marlins have designated him for assignment as a result. The lefthander, who posted a gaudy 21.60 ERA in four relief appearances this season, will be replaced on the roster by infielder Joe Dillon.

5/17/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen tried to play through the pulled muscle in his right ribcage and sore left triceps in Monday's meeting with the Milwaukee Brewers, but went hitless in three at-bats. The Nationals' outfielder has decided to shut it down for a few days to allow the problems to clear up, and he is not expected to return to the starting lineup until at least Friday's matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays. A trip to the disabled list will not be necessary at this time.

Marlon Byrd and/or Jeffrey Hammonds likely will fill the void in the Nationals' lineup this week. In 38 games this season, Guillen is batting .296 with eight home runs and 22 RBI.

Wiki Gonzalez, was

Gonzalez has a partial tear of his left hamstring and is expected to be out at least three weeks. That's not exactly news worthy of a birthday for the veteran catcher, who turns 31 on Tuesday. Recalled by Seattle on May 5, Gonzalez was in the course of taking over starting catcher duties by going 6-for-16 (.375) with four doubles in his first four games.

Chad Cordero, was

After pitching the previous three days, Cordero was unavailable for Monday's meeting with the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Washington Nationals allowed Luis Ayala to finish out the game and notch his first save of the season instead. Cordero has been solid in the closer role this year, going 2-1 with a 1.00 ERA and nine saves in 18 relief appearances. He has struck out 19 batters and walked six in 18 innings.

Cordero will be back on the mound if there is a save opportunity on Tuesday.

5/16/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen is nursing a pulled muscle in his right ribcage, as well as a sore left triceps, and the Nationals' outfielder likely will take a few days off this week to rest and recover. Neither injury is considered serious, but to avoid an extended absence, the team might choose to hold Guillen out temporarily as a precautionary measure. Expect him to be a game-time decision most of this week.

Guillen said he will play if the pain is not too severe, but admitted some time off definitely would help. Marlon Byrd and/or Jeffrey Hammonds likely will fill the void in the lineup if Guillen sits out some this week. In 37 games this season, Guillen is batting .302 with eight home runs and 22 RBI.

Wiki Gonzalez, was

The Seattle Mariners placed Gonzalez on the 15-day disabled list Sunday, a day after he suffered a strained left hamstring. The veteran catcher, who turns 31 on Tuesday, had all but taken over starting catcher duties for the Mariners. He was 6-for-16 (.375) with four doubles and two RBI since he was recalled on May 5.

The Mariners recalled catching prospect Rene Rivera from Double-A San Antonio on Sunday, but he will serve as a backup. Miguel Olivo will assume the starting job once again.

5/15/2005

Wiki Gonzalez, was

After being slated as the new starting catcher in Seattle, Gonzalez went down on Saturday with a fairly signifcant strain. Chances are he'll be sent to the disabled list, and Miguel Olivo will return to the Mariners' starting lineup.

Wiki Gonzalez, was

After being slated as the new starting catcher in Seattle, Gonzalez went down on Saturday with a fairly significant hamstring strain. Chances are he'll be sent to the disabled list, and catcher Miguel Olivo will return to the Mariners' starting lineup.

Henry Mateo, was

Just six days after being activated from the disabled list, utilityman Henry Mateo has been placed back on the 15-day DL with a right shoulder injury. According to the Nationals' trainers, Mateo developed tendinitis in his shoulder in spring training, and it's been bothering him since.

Mateo could have picked up some starts for an injured Jose Vidro, but now that he's going back on the DL, Jamey Carroll should see all of the starts at second base.

5/14/2005

Marlon Byrd, was

The Phillies have traded Marlon Byrd to Washington in exchange for Endy Chavez. After a strong rookie season in 2003, Byrd struggled last season, and was sent down to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in June. He hit .228 in 106 games with Philadelphia in 2004. After dislocating his right ring finger in late March, Byrd began 2005 in the minors on a rehabilitation assignment. Called up earlier this month, he is hitting .308 in five games.

5/13/2005

Jose Vidro, was

On Friday the Washington Nationals announced that second baseman Jose Vidro will miss at least three more weeks after an MRI exam on Friday revealed a partially torn tendon in his left ankle. Originally thought to be a sprain, Vidro remains on the 15-day disabled list. Through 28 games this season, Vidro was hitting .290 with four home runs and 15 RBI.

Jamey Caroll and Henry Mateo will continue to split time at second base in Vidro's absence with Caroll getting the majority of starts.

5/12/2005

Antonio Osuna, was

As anticipated, Osuna underwent arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder on Thursday. The Nationals' righthander, who currently is on the 15-day disabled list, will not be allowed to start throwing for another six weeks. A timetable for his return to the team's bullpen has not been set.

Prior to landing on the DL, Osuna had allowed 11 runs in just 2.1 innings of work this season, resulting in a 42.43 ERA.

Felix Rodriguez, was

The New York Yankees announced that Rodriguez had arthroscopic surgery Thursday to repair torn meniscus in his left knee. The lefthanded reliever will start a rehab program next week. He will be out for the next 4-6 weeks.

Rodriguez has posted a 5.40 ERA in 11 relief appearances for New York this season.

Cristian Guzman, was

Guzman's strained left hamstring has improved significantly over the past couple of days, and he hopes to be ready for the start of the Nationals' weekend series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. The shortstop, who suffered the injury while running the bases in the seventh inning of Monday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, has just two hits in his last 20 at-bats and is batting just .222 with one home run, five RBI and one stolen base in 32 games this season.

If the weather is cold or rainy this weekend, the Nationals likely will hold out Guzman for another couple of days as a precautionary measure. Once Guzman is able to return, Jamey Carroll will shift back over to second base and fill in for the injured Jose Vidro.

Felipe Lopez, was

Lopez' opportunity to play because of an injury to Rich Aurilia coincides with a hot spell. Lopez, who turns 25 on Wednesday, celebrates with a seven-game hitting streak in which he's batting .387 (12-for-31). During his streak, Lopez has collected five doubles, scored seven runs and driven in nine. For the season, he's a .328 hitter with four homers and 16 RBI in just 20 games.

5/11/2005

Felix Rodriguez, was

Following New York's win over Seattle Tuesday, the Yankees placed Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list with torn meniscus in his left knee. The 32-year-old reliever reportedly suffered the injury while exiting the shower sometime between Monday night and Tuesday afternoon, when he underwent an MRI exam. Team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon diagnosed the injury and suggested Rodriguez undergo surgery, which would sideline him 4-6 weeks.

To replace Rodriguez on the roster, the Yankees are expected to purchase the contract of infielder Russ Johnson from Triple-A Columbus. Rodriguez has posted a 5.40 ERA in 11 relief appearances for New York.

Felipe Lopez, was

Lopez will take over as the Cincinnati Reds' starting shortstop for the next couple of weeks, as veteran Rich Aurilia has landed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained hamstring. The opportunity could not have come at a better time, as the infielder has been smoking the ball recently. In his last six games, Lopez is 11-for-27 (.407) with five doubles and seven RBI.

For the season, Lopez is batting .333 with three home runs and 14 RBI in 19 games. If you need a stopgap at middle infield, Lopez might be a good -- and available -- option, especially while he's hot.

Luis Matos, was

Matos suffered a broken right ring finger when he was struck by a pitch while trying to bunt in Baltimore's Monday night loss to Minnesota. The Orioles' center fielder is expected to miss at least six weeks of action. He was batting .289 with a .377 on-base percentage and 19 runs scored in 32 games.

Matos joins Sammy Sosa on the DL, leaving the Orioles light on outfielders. Jay Gibbons and B.J. Surhoff will see more playing time, but it's Larry Bigbie and Mark Newhan who could get most of the at-bats in center field for Matos.

Kevin Gryboski, was

Gryboski continues to be sidelined with a viral infection, so the Atlanta Braves have decided to place him on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 7. The righthander, who has a 1.29 ERA in 11 relief appearances this season, will be replaced in the bullpen by Frank Brooks.

Gryboski should be ready to be activated when eligible on May 22.

5/10/2005

Jose Vidro, was

The Washington Nationals have decided to place Vidro on the 15-day disabled list to give him some time to recover from the high left ankle sprain he suffered last Wednesday against the Dodgers while running the bases. The second baseman, who is batting .290 with four home runs and 15 RBI in 28 games this season, will be replaced on the roster by pitcher Tony Armas.

With Vidro sidelined, Jamey Carroll is slated to get the majority of starts at second base for the Nationals. Henry Mateo will serve as his primary backup. The move is retroactive to May 5, so Vidro could be back as early as next weekend.

Cristian Guzman, was

Guzman suffered a strained left hamstring while running the bases in the seventh inning of Monday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the injury is expected to keep him out of the Nationals' lineup for as long as a week. Jamey Carroll has been filling in at second base for the injured Jose Vidro, but will shift over to shortstop in Guzman's absence. Veteran Carlos Baerga and Henry Mateo will split time at second.

Guzman has just two hits in his last 20 at-bats, so the time off might actually be good for him. In 32 games this season, he is batting .222 with one home run, five RBI and one stolen base.

Tony Armas, was

As expected, Armas has been activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Washington Nationals. The righthander, who has been sidelined with a strained right groin, is scheduled to take the mound against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, making his 2005 regular-season debut. He returned from shoulder surgery last summer, going 2-4 with a 4.88 ERA for the Expos before shoulder inflammation ended his season in mid-September.

Second baseman Jose Vidro was placed on the DL with an ankle injury, opening a roster spot for Armas. Arm problems have limited Armas to just 21 starts over the past two seasons combined, so see how he does in his first couple of outings before throwing him in your lineup.

5/9/2005

Alfonso Soriano, was

For the first time in the last four days, Soriano didn't homer for the Texas Rangers on Sunday. Still, the second baseman was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks in the Rangers' 7-2 win over Cleveland.

Soriano's hit on Sunday gave him a five-game hitting streak in which he is 11-for-20 (.550) with two doubles, five homers and 13 RBI. His slugging percentage is a staggering 1.400 over his five-game run. And the Rangers have won four of those five games.

Wiki Gonzalez, was

In his first major league appearance in nearly two years Sunday, Gonzalez started behind the plate for the Seattle Mariners and went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles. After the game, Mariners manager Mike Hargrove suggested that Gonzalez might be ripe for more starting assignments, in light of the struggles of starting catcher Miguel Olivo.

Gonzalez wasn't exactly ripping it up at Triple-A Tacoma before his recall, batting .271 with two homers and six RBI in 16 games. It's hard to anticipate that Gonzalez would have serious fantasy value as Seattle's starting catcher, but if he keeps hitting he should keep playing for the foreseeable future.

Henry Mateo, was

Mateo has been activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Washington Nationals and will be available for Monday night's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The infielder, who had been sidelined all season with tendinitis in his right shoulder, will split time with Jamey Carroll at second base until normal starter Jose Vidro is able to return from a sprained left ankle.

Making room on the roster for Mateo, the Nationals optioned outfielder J.J. Davis to Triple-A New Orleans. In 40 major league games last season (44 at-bats), Mateo batted .273 with two doubles and two stolen bases.

5/8/2005

Jose Vidro, was

An MRI on Saturday revealed that Vidro has a high left ankle sprain, an injury that is expected to keep him out of the lineup for at least 1-2 weeks. The Nationals are not expected to place their starting second baseman on the disabled list at this juncture, but he will be re-evaluated on Friday when the team returns home from its current road trip. Vidro originally suffered the injury last Wednesday against the Dodgers while running the bases.

Vidro is hitting .290 on the season, and already has 12 extra-base hits. Reserves Jamey Carroll and Henry Mateo will handle the keystone duties in Vidro's absence.

Alfonso Soriano, was

Soriano hit a pair of homers for the second straight game on Saturday in a win over the Indians, giving the Texas second baseman 10 longballs on the season. Five of those round-trippers have come in the past three games, a stretch that has seen Soriano go 9-for-16 with seven runs and 10 RBI.

Soriano now has nine multi-homer games in his big league career.

5/7/2005

Jose Vidro, was

On Friday, Vidro had X-rays taken of his sore left ankle, and he is scheduled to have an MRI exam on Saturday. The Nationals' second baseman has missed the team's last two games with tenderness in the ankle, and may miss another 3-5 days with the ailment. It's possible that something could be wrong with Vidro's tendon, though team officials are hoping it's just a minor ankle sprain.

Reserve infielders Jamey Carroll and Henry Mateo should see some action in place of Vidro. Neither are very valuable fantasy players should Vidro return to action.

5/6/2005

Antonio Osuna, was

Osuna is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on May 12 to repair damage in his troublesome pitching shoulder. The Nationals' righthander, who has been sidelined for nearly a month already, will be out indefinitely. Prior to landing on the 15-day disabled list, he had allowed 11 runs in just 2.1 innings of work this season, resulting in a 42.43 ERA.

5/5/2005

Jose Vidro, was

Due to sore left ankle, Vidro was removed from the Nationals' lineup in the seventh inning of Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The injury, suffered while running the bases, is considered minor, and the second baseman has been listed as day-to-day. He was 1-for-3 with a run scored prior to his departure.

Vidro will be re-evaluated on Thursday, but he is not expected to miss much time. In 28 games this season, he is batting .290 with four home runs and 15 RBI.

Wiki Gonzalez, was

After Seattle catcher Dan Wilson blew out a knee on Wednesday night, the Mariners have recalled Gonzalez from Triple-A Tacoma. The 30-year-old catcher will assume Wilson's duties as the backup to starting catcher Miguel Olivo. Gonzalez was hitting .271 with two homers and six RBI in 16 games for Tacoma.

5/4/2005

Damian Jackson, was

The San Diego Padres have purchased Jackson's contract from Triple-A Portland, giving them some much-needed depth on their injury plagued infield. Jackson, who takes the roster spot of outfielder Adam Hyzdu, is expected to split time at shortstop with Jesse Garcia, at least until regular starter Khalil Greene is able to return.

Jackson got the starting nod in Tuesday's game against the Colorado Rockies and went 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and stolen base. The Padres hope to have Greene back in the lineup within the next week or so.

Tony Armas, was

Barring any last-minute setbacks, the Washington Nationals expect to welcome Armas back into their starting rotation early next week. The righthander, who has been sidelined with a strained right groin, is scheduled to make his final minor league rehab start for Triple-A New Orleans on Thursday.

Armas will join the Nationals this weekend and is slated to have a bullpen session on Saturday. He returned from shoulder surgery last summer, going 2-4 with a 4.88 ERA for the Expos before shoulder inflammation ended his season in mid-September. Arm problems have limited Armas to just 21 starts over the past two seasons combined.

Marlon Byrd, was

With Kenny Lofton going on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his hamstring, the Philadelphia Phillies have filled the void on the roster by recalling Byrd from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he was on minor league rehab assignment. He hit .390 with 10 RBI in 14 exhibition games with the Phillies this spring, but missed some time with a broken finger. He has since recovered from the injury.

Byrd is expected to split time with Jason Michaels in center field until Lofton is able to return. In 106 games with Philly last season, Byrd batted .228 with five home runs, 33 RBI and two stolen bases.

Ryan Church, was

With Terrmel Sledge sidelined with a hamstring injury, Church will step back into the Nationals' starting lineup and get the majority of the starts in left field. The 27-year-old, who lost the everyday job late last month, currently is batting .208 with two home runs and five RBI in 21 games this season.

Veteran Jeffrey Hammonds could get a couple of looks as well, but expect Church to get most of the work in Sledge's absence.

5/3/2005

Jeffrey Hammonds, was

The Washington Nationals have purchased Hammonds' contract from Triple-A New Orleans, filling the roster spot of pitcher Joey Eischen, who will be out for at least a couple of months with a broken arm. The veteran outfielder was batting .250 with two home runs, nine RBI and one stolen base in 19 games with the minor league club this season.

The Nationals have a logjam in the outfield, so Hammonds likely will serve as a backup and pinch-hitter for the time being. As a result, his fantasy value is highly limited.

Robert Fick, was

The San Diego Padres have purchased Fick's contract from Triple-A Portland, filling the roster spot of infielder Geoff Blum, who will miss the next couple of weeks with a bruised chest. Fick, a utilityman, split the 2004 campaign between the Padres and Devil Rays, batting a combined .199 with six home runs and 26 RBI in 89 games.

Fick will serve as a bench player with the Padres, seeing time as a backup at both corner-outfield positions, first base and catcher.

5/2/2005

Joey Eischen, was

Eischen will be placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Washington Nationals, one day after breaking his right arm in a game against the New York Mets. The lefthander, who suffered the injury when he jumped off the mound to grab a high chopper in the seventh inning of Sunday's contest, will undergo surgery on Monday and is expected to be sidelined at least two months. He is the only lefty currently on the Nationals' pitching staff.

Eischen is tied for the team lead with 15 appearances this season, going 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA. He'll be out until about the All-Star break.

Daryle Ward, was

Ward went 2-for-4 in Sunday's loss to the San Francisco Giants, with both of his hits reaching the seats. The Pirates' first baseman belted a two-run homer to right-center field in the first inning before adding a solo shot in sixth. He now has five multihomer games in his major league career. Over his last four games, Ward is 5-for-14 with two doubles, two home runs, three walks and five RBI.

Ward should see more regular playing time if he can continue his hot hitting. In 18 games this season, he is batting .264 with four home runs and 10 RBI.

5/1/2005

Ramon Ortiz, was

As anticipated, Ortiz has been activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Cincinnati Reds and will take the mound against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. The righthander has missed the last couple of weeks with a strained his right groin, an injury originally suffered during a spring training outing on March 23. He began the season in the Reds' starting rotation despite being less than 100 percent, but made just one start and was placed on the DL shortly thereafter.

With Ortiz back in action, Matt Belisle will move to a long-relief role for the Reds. Reliever Todd Coffey was optioned to Triple-A Louisville to open a roster spot for Ortiz.

Brian Lawrence, was

After lasting just 2.1 innings in his last outing, Lawrence bounced back on Saturday, tossing a gem in a 2-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Padres' righthander allowed just two hits in eight scoreless innings, striking out seven and walking two.

Lawrence has been quite inconsistent so far this season, going seven or more innings in three outings, but failing to get out of the third inning in his other two starts. He has a 1.57 ERA at home and a 23.40 ERA on the road. Overall, Lawrence is 2-3 with a 5.46 ERA.

Zach Day, was

Day was unable to make his scheduled start on Saturday, due to an inner-ear infection. The Nationals' righthander, who was a last-minute scratch, was replaced on the mound by Tomo Ohka. Barring any setbacks, Day should get the nod in Tuesday's meeting with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Day's ailment is not considered serious, so expect him to be ready for Tuesday's outing. Due to his early season struggles, Day was temporarily sent to the bullpen a couple weeks ago, but he has since returned to the starting rotation. Overall, he is 1-2 with a 5.09 ERA in five appearances, including four starts.

4/29/2005

Jose Guillen, was

The Washington Nationals have exercised the team's $4 million option on Guillen's contract, locking the outfielder in through the 2006 campaign. The 28-year-old, who was acquired from the Angels last November, is batting .298 with five home runs and 13 RBI in 22 games this season.

Guillen has been with seven different teams since making his major league debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1997. He indicated that he would like Washington to be his last stop.

Ramon Ortiz, was

Ortiz took another step forward in his recovery from a strained right groin, throwing a pain-free, 12-minute bullpen session on Thursday. The Reds' righthander, who made a minor league rehab start for Class-A Sarasota on Tuesday, should be activated from the disabled list in time to take the mound against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, barring any last-minute setbacks. Matt Belisle has been starting in Ortiz' stead, but likely will move back to the bullpen.

Ortiz originally suffered the injury during a spring training outing on March 23, but began the season in the starting rotation despite being less than 100 percent. In his only appearance, he allowed one run on five hits over five innings, striking out six and walking three, but did not figure into the decision in a 3-2 loss to the Astros.

Andrew Good, was

To make room for utlityman Ramon Martinez, who is returning from the disabled list, the Detroit Tigers optioned Good to Triple-A Toledo on Thursday. The 25-year-old righthander posted a 5.40 ERA in a pair of relief appearances for the Tigers. He fanned seven and walked one in five innings.

4/28/2005

Tony Armas, was

According to Nationals manager Frank Robinson, the team would like to see Armas build up his arm strength with a couple more starts in the minor leagues before rejoining Washington's starting rotation. The righthander, who has been sidelined with a strained right groin, reported no major problems after pitching five innings in Triple-A on Monday -- his longest outing so far. He allowed six runs on nine hits.

John Patterson has pitched better than expected in Armas' absence, so there is no reason to activated him from the disabled list before he is back to 100 percent. Arm problems limited Armas to just 21 starts over the past two seasons combined.

Nick Johnson, was

Johnson continues to have pain in his bruised left leg, and he was limping noticeably on Wednesday. The Nationals' first baseman, who fouled a ball off the leg durning a third-inning at-bat in Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies, likely won't play in Friday's meeting with the New York Mets, according to manager Frank Robinson. Johnson officially has been listed as day-to-day.

The Nationals will be forced to shift some people around in their lineup until Johnson is able to return. Brad Wilkerson is expected to move from the outfield to handle the first-base duties, while Ryan Church likely will man center field. Johnson, who has a major league season-best 16-game hitting streak, is batting .301 with one home run, seven RBI and a stolen base in 21 contests this year.

4/27/2005

Nick Johnson, was

The Washington Nationals will hold Johnson out of Wednesday's meeting with the Philadelphia Phillies after the first baseman fouled a ball off his left leg during his second at-bat in Tuesday's victory. Johnson has been diagnosed with a bruised left knee and currently is listed as day-to-day.

The Nationals are off on Thursday, which gives Johnson an extra day to rest his leg. Johnson, who has a major league season-best 16-game hitting streak, hopes to be back in the lineup on Friday. He is batting .301 with one home run, seven RBI and a stolen base in 21 contests this year.

Felipe Lopez, was

Lopez notched the first grand slam of his major league career, taking a Ryan Dempster pitch deep to right field in the third inning of Wednesday's loss to the Chicago Cubs. It was the only hit of the day for the Reds' infielder, who is batting .269 with two homers and six RBI in nine games this season.

Lopez won't be in the lineup on a daily basis, but he will fill in when one of the Reds' regular infielders needs a day off. He has limited fantasy value in deep leagues.

4/25/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Despite suffering a slight groin pull the previous day, Guillen was back in the Nationals' lineup for Sunday's meeting with the New York Mets. The outfielder did not appear limited by the minor injury, going 1-for-3 with a two-run double and a sacrifice fly to finish with three RBI. He hopes to avoid missing any time going forward.

Manager Frank Robinson said he will keep Guillen in the lineup until the outfielder says he can't go. In 19 games this season, Guillen is batting .311 with five home runs, four doubles and 12 RBI.

Ramon Ortiz, was

Ortiz is scheduled to make a minor league rehab start on Tuesday. The Reds' righthander, who has been battling tightness in his right groin since hurting himself during a spring training outing on March 23, hopes to return to the starting rotation for Sunday's matchup with the Milwaukee Brewers, barring any setbacks. He will be re-evaluated after Tuesday's outing to determine his status.

Matt Belisle will remain in the rotation until Ortiz is back in action. In his first appearance this season, Ortiz allowed one run on five hits over five innings, striking out six and walking three, but did not figure into the decision in a 3-2 loss to the Astros.

Nick Johnson, was

Johnson's major league-best hitting streak reached 14 games on Sunday, after the Washington first baseman went 2-for-4 with three runs scored in the Nationals' win over the Mets. Johnson is batting just .314 during his 14-game run, but he's also reached base in all 19 of Washington's games.

On the season, Johnson is batting .303 with 12 walks and a .425 on-base percentage.

Jon Rauch, was

Rauch has been recalled from Triple-A New Orleans by the Washington Nationals. The 26-year-old righthander, who takes the roster spot of demoted reliever Joe Horgan, was acquired from the Chicago White Sox in a trade last July, and in 11 combined appearances between the two clubs, including four starts, went 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA.

For the time being, Rauch is slated to pitch in long relief, but he could be called upon to make a start or two, especially if Tomo Ohka continues to struggle. In 14.1 innings with the minor league club this season, Rauch went 1-1 and posted a 2.51 ERA.

Joe Horgan, was

After giving up six runs in just one inning in Saturday's loss to the New York Mets, Horgan has been optioned to Triple-A New Orleans by the Washington Nationals. In eight relief appearances this season, the lefthander has allowed 14 earned runs on 19 hits in just six innings of work, posting a gaudy 21.00 ERA.

Filling the spot on the roster will be Jon Rauch, who was recalled from the minor league club on Sunday.

4/23/2005

Nick Johnson, was

Johnson extended his hitting streak to 13 games by going 1-for-5 in Washington's loss to the New York Mets Saturday. Johnson's streak is the longest in the National League so far this season. He has reached base in all 18 of Washington's games.

4/22/2005

Ryan Church, was

Because of his recent struggles, Church has lost his job as the Washington Nationals' everyday center fielder. The team plans to shift Brad Wilkerson from left field to center and insert Terrmel Sledge in the starting lineup in left. In 12 games this season, Church is batting just .152 with one home run and three RBI.

Sledge supplies the Nationals with a little more speed on the bases. Church will serve as the team's fourth outfielder for the time being.

4/21/2005

Jose Vidro, was

Washington managed just five hits in Thursday afternoon's 2-1 loss to Atlanta, but both Nick Johnson and Vidro managed singles to extend their National League-best hitting streaks to 11 games. Vidro went 1-for-4 in Thursday's loss, and he's hitting .378 (14-for-37) with three homers and 11 RBI during his 11-game run.

For the season, Vidro is batting .322 with 11 runs and 14 RBI in 16 games.

Ramon Ortiz, was

Ortiz reported no major problems after a 15-minute bullpen session on Wednesday. The Reds' righthander, who has been battling tightness in his right groin since hurting himself during a spring training outing on March 23, is eligible to be activated from the 15-day disabled list as early as Sunday, but a decision on his availability likely won't come for another 24-48 hours. For now, consider him as day-to-day.

Matt Belisle will remain in the rotation until Ortiz is back in action. In his first appearance this season, Ortiz allowed one run on five hits over five innings, striking out six and walking three, but did not figure into the decision in a 3-2 loss to the Astros.

Nick Johnson, was

Washington managed just five hits in Thursday afternoon's 2-1 loss to Atlanta, but both Jose Vidro and Johnson managed singles to extend their National League-best hitting streaks to 11 games. Johnson went 1-for-3 in Thursday's loss, and he's hitting .308 (12-for-39) with three doubles, four runs scored and four RBI during his 11-game run.

For the season, Johnson is hitting .296 with four doubles, a triple and six RBI in 16 games. He also has 10 walks and a .415 on-base percentage.

John Patterson, was

Despite another solid outing, Patterson did not figure into the decision in Thursday's loss to the Atlanta Braves. The Nationals' righthander allowed just two hits over seven shutout innings prior to be lifted in favor of reliever Hector Carrasco. In three starts this season, Patterson has allowed just two runs over 21 innings, striking out 17 batters and walking four.

The Nationals might have a tough decision to make when Tony Armas returns from his nagging groin injury. Patterson or Zach Day will be forced to move to the bullpen to open a spot in the rotation.

Zach Day, was

Day's short stint in the Nationals' bullpen seems to have helped. The righthander, who was demoted to relief after allowing 10 runs on 14 hits -- including three home runs -- over his first two starts of the season, returned to the rotation for Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Braves, scattering just three hits over seven shutout innings. He struck out one and walked four.

There are better options out there than Day, but it is good to see that he has some confidence back. Last season, he was 5-10 with a 3.93 ERA and one shutout in 19 starts.

4/20/2005

Jose Vidro, was

The longest active hitting streak in the National League belongs to a pair of Nationals. Both Vidro and first baseman Nick Johnson take nine-game streaks into Washington's home game against Atlanta on Wednesday night.

Vidro is a .400 hitter during his nine-game run. He's also shown impressive power, collecting four doubles and a pair of dingers. In those nine games, Vidro has scored six runs and driven in nine, helping Washington to a 5-4 record.

Nick Johnson, was

The longest active hitting streak in the National League belongs to a pair of Nationals. Both Johnson and Jose Vidro take nine-game streaks into Washington's home game against Atlanta on Wednesday night.

Johnson hasn't been especially hot, as he's a .313 hitter during his nine-game run. While he has just one multihit game during the streak, he has a double, a triple and four RBI in the Nationals' last three contests. He has at least one ribbie in all three games, after collecting just two in his first 11 games this season.

T.J. Tucker, was

A strained right groin has landed Tucker on the 15-day disabled list for the Washington Nationals. The righthander, who said he felt a pop while pitching in Tuesday's game against the Florida Marlins, will be replaced on the roster by Hector Carrasco.

Tucker will undergo more tests over the next couple of days to determine the extent of the injury, but currently, the team expects him to be sidelined for 2-4 weeks. In six relief appearances this season, he is 1-0 and has allowed just four hits in 5.1 scoreless innings.

Alex Escobar, was

Opening a spot on the 40-man roster for reliever Hector Carrasco, the Washington Nationals have transferred Escobar from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL. The outfielder continues a rehab program after recently undergoing surgery to remove screws from his right foot. He is expected to be sidelined for at least two more months.

Escobar, who was acquired from the Chicago White Sox in February, spent the majority of last season with the Cleveland Indians before being claimed off waivers by the White Sox in mid-August. He batted .211 with one home run and 12 RBI in 46 games with the Tribe and did not appear in a game with the Sox. Once healthy, he hopes to claim a backup job with the Nationals.

Austin Kearns, was

Kearns has been absent from the Reds' lineup the past few days, as manager Dave Miley has decided to use Wily Mo Pena in right field instead. However, Kearns, who is batting .206 with one home run and five RBI in 10 games this season, is expected to get the nod in Wednesday's meeting with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Kearns has fanned 12 times in 34 at-bats already this season, while Pena has been swinging a hot bat. As long as everyone in the Reds' outfield stays healthy, Kearns and Pena will continue to platoon in right.

4/19/2005

Alfonso Soriano, was

Soriano was held out of the Rangers lineup on Tuesday due to a bruised left knee. Although Soriano was unhappy about sitting out, and felt he could have played, manager Buck Showalter felt that the day off would help get the swelling out of the knee. Reserve infielder, Mark DeRosa took Soriano's place in the starting lineup.

Soriano is likely to be back in the lineup on Wednesday at Tampa Bay.

Cristian Guzman, was

Guzman is finding his transition to the National League a difficult one. The Nationals' shortstop, who signed a four-year, $16.8 million contract in November after spending his first six seasons in the major leagues with the Minnesota Twins, has just five hits in his first 47 at-bats of the 2005 campaign, resulting in a dismal .106 batting average.

Guzman has hit .268 or better each of the last four seasons, so his average is bound to improve over the coming weeks. If you have a better temporary option at short, it might be smart to bench Guzman, at least until he puts a couple of decent games together.

4/18/2005

Antonio Osuna, was

Osuna did some throwing over the weekend, but because of continued discomfort and inflammation in his pitching shoulder, he has been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Washington Nationals, retroactive to April 11. The righthander,who has not seen game action in more than a week, will be replaced on the roster by Gary Majewski.

Osuna has been lit up in four relief appearances this season, allowing 11 runs on nine hits -- including two home runs -- and seven walks in 2.1 innings. The Nationals will keep him sidelined until he can throw pain-free.

Ramon Ortiz, was

Ortiz has been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Cininnati Reds, retroactive to April 9. The righthander, who has been battling tightness in his right groin since hurting himself during a spring training outing on March 23, will be replaced in the rotation by Matt Belisle. The Reds plan to fill the void on the roster prior to Monday's meeting with the Chicago Cubs.

In his first appearance this season, Ortiz allowed one run on five hits over five innings, striking out six and walking three, but did not figure into the decision in a 3-2 loss to the Astros. He could return to action as early as Sunday, but the Reds are not going to push him too quickly and risk further aggravation of the injury.

4/15/2005

Zach Day, was

After allowing 10 runs on 14 hits -- including three home runs -- over his first two starts of the season, Day has been moved to the bullpen by the Washington Nationals. The righthander will pitch in long relief for the time being.

Day could return to the rotation, if he is able to get back on track while pitching in relief. John Patterson, who has been filling in for the injured Tony Armas over the first couple weeks of the 2005 campaign, will get the nod on Saturday in Day's stead.

4/13/2005

Jose Guillen, was

Guillen notched his fourth and fifth home runs of the 2005 campaign, going deep twice in Wednesday's victory over the Atlanta Braves. The Nationals' outfielder, who was acquired from the Angels during the offseason, hit a solo shot in the seventh inning off Adam Bernero before capping off his day with a two-run bomb in the ninth.

Guillen is the first player in the major leagues to reach five homers this season. In nine games, he is batting .359 with a double, triple, eight RBI and nine runs scored. Guillen has been troubled by attitude problems in the past, but if the Nationals can keep him under wraps, he could be in for a big season.

Ramon Ortiz, was

Not taking any chances, the Cincinnati Reds have scratched Ortiz from his scheduled start on Wednesday, due to stiffness in his right groin. The righthander, who originally strained the groin in a spring training outing on March 23, will be replaced on the mound by Matt Belisle. In his first appearance this season, Ortiz allowed one run on five hits over five innings, striking out six and walking three, but did not figure into the decision in a 3-2 loss to the Astros.

The move is considered precautionary, and Ortiz hopes to be ready for his next turn in the Reds' rotation. For now, consider him as day-to-day. He spent last season with the Angels, going 5-7 with a 4.43 ERA in 34 appearances, including 14 starts.

4/12/2005

Tony Armas, was

Armas continues to recover from a strained right groin, and he is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A New Orleans later this week. The Nationals' righthander will be limited to 55 pitches in his first start -- slated for Friday. Barring any setbacks, he will make two more starts with the minor league club, working his way up to 95 pitches, before joining Washington's rotation.

If all goes according to plan, Armas should be back with the major league club in early May. Until that time, John Patterson will fill the void.

Alex Escobar, was

Escobar will begin a rehab program in Florida on Tuesday after recently undergoing surgery to remove screws from his right foot. The Nationals' outfielder, currently on the 15-day disabled list, originally suffered the injury last season. He is expected to be sidelined for at least two months.

Escobar, who was acquired from the Chicago White Sox in February, spent the majority of last season with the Cleveland Indians before being claimed off waivers by the White Sox in mid-August. He batted .211 with one home run and 12 RBI in 46 games with the Tribe and did not appear in a game with the Sox. Once healthy, he hopes to claim a backup job with the Nationals.

4/11/2005

Ryan Church, was

As anticipated, Church returned to action over the weekend after missing some time with tightness in his right groin. However, he got the nod in left field instead of his normal spot in center. The move is considered precautionary, according to manager Frank Robinson, and Church will move back to the middle once the groin is no longer a problem. Brad Wilkerson will remain in center field for the time being.

Church went 2-for-5 with his first home run of the season in his return on Saturday. For the year, he is 2-for-10 with three strikeouts in three games.

4/7/2005

Carlos Baerga, was

Baerga, who was assigned to minor league camp last week, will have his contract purchased by the Washington Nationals, filling the roster spot of the injured Wil Cordero. He is expected to join the club within the next day or two. Baerga hit .235 with two home runs and 11 RBI in 79 games for Arizona last season.

For his career, Baerga has batted .292 with 132 homers and 755 RBI in 1,537 games. He will serve as a backup with the Nationals.

Tony Armas, was

On Thursday, Armas is scheduled to throw off the mound for a second consecutive day, as he continues to recover from a strained right groin. The Nationals' righthander reported no major problems following Wednesday's session, and he hopes to go on a minor league rehab assignment in the near future. He currently is on the 15-day disabled list.

Armas, who has been limited to just 21 starts over the past two years because of arm problems, likely will make one start in the minors before joining the Nationals' rotation. Until that time, John Patterson will fill the void.

Ramon Ortiz, was

Ortiz reported no problems after throwing a bullpen session on Tuesday, and he is slated to make his season debut with the Cincinnati Reds on Friday against the Houston Astros. The righthander was limited over the last couple of weeks after straining his groin in a spring training outing on March 23.

Ortiz spent the 2004 campaign with the Angels, going 5-7 with a 4.43 ERA in 34 appearances, including 14 starts.

Ryan Church, was

Manager Frank Robinson expected Church to return to the Nationals' lineup for Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies, but the outfielder was out again, due to tightness in his right groin. According to Robinson, Church will sit on Thursday as well, but should be available for Friday's meeting with the Florida Marlins. He continues to be listed as day-to-day.

Until Church is back in the lineup, regular left fielder Brad Wilkerson will man center, while Terrmel Sledge will handle the left-field duties. Church batted .268 with one home run, seven RBI and two stolen bases in 22 games this spring and was given the starting center-field job after Endy Chavez was optioned to the minor leagues.

Travis Hughes, was

The Washington Nationals have claimed Hughes off waivers from the Texas Rangers. The righthander, who went 1-3 with a 10.24 ERA in eight exhibition appearances this spring, will be assigned to Triple-A New Orleans.

4/5/2005

Ryan Church, was

As a precautionary measure, Church was held out of the Nationals' lineup for Monday's season opener against the Philadelphia Phillies because of tightness in his right groin. The center fielder, who first experienced the problem on Sunday, will be on the field for Wednesday's game, according to manager Frank Robinson. With Church sidelined, the Nationals shifted Brad Wilkerson from left field to center and gave Terrmel Sledge the nod in left.

Church batted .268 with one home run, seven RBI and two stolen bases in 22 games this spring and was given the starting center-field job after Endy Chavez was optioned to the minor leagues.

4/4/2005

Pedro Astacio, was

As anticipated, Astacio has been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Texas Rangers, retroactive to March 25. The veteran righthander, who has been slowed by a nagging groin injury this spring, is expected to be activated in time to start the team's fifth game of the regular season, a matchup against the Seattle Mariners on April 9.

Astacio appeared in just one major league exhibition game this spring, allowing three runs on five hits over 3.2 innings. He struck out five and walked one. Shoulder problems have limited Astacio to just 12 appearances over the last two seasons, but did not report any arm troubles in spring training.

Chad Cordero, was

The Washington Nationals considered going into the 2005 campaign using a closer-by-committee approach, but on Sunday, manager Frank Robinson announced that Cordero will be given the ball in most save situations this season. The 23-year-old righthander went 7-3 with a 2.94 ERA and 14 saves in 69 relief appearances for the Montreal Expos last season.

In 82.2 innings last year, Cordero struck out 83 batters and walked 43. If the Nationals can start putting up some wins, Cordero could be a solid option at closer for your fantasy squad.

Ryan Church, was

Church likely will miss some time this week after leaving Sunday's exhibition finale with tightness in his right groin. The Nationals' outfielder, who batted .268 with one home run, seven RBI and two stolen bases in 22 games this spring, was slated to begin the 2005 campaign as the club's starting center fielder.

With Church sidelined, the Nationals likely will shift Brad Wilkerson from left field to center and give Terrmel Sledge the nod in left. The injury does not sound serious, so for now, consider Church as day-to-day.