Daily Nats Blurbs

[General]

John Patterson, who already had his rehab start pushed back once, now isn't likely to pitch at all this week.
Patterson is on the DL with a strained forearm muscle. "He's not able to do his rehab," manager Frank Robinson said Sunday. "It's time to give it an extended period of rest to see if it does clear up because it certainly hasn't cleared up the way we've gone about it so far." Better late than never. Patterson should get at least two weeks off before returning at the end of the month

[General]

John Patterson (arm) won't pitch for the Nationals until May 18 at the earliest.
Patterson was expected to make a rehab start for Single-A Potomac on Wednesday, but it has been pushed back until Saturday. It's not getting worse," Patterson said. "But the soreness isn't going away."

[redsrbetter]

another big injury loss for another team. The injury bug is all over I guess. Tough break Nats.

[General]

Nationals prospect Larry Broadway homered and doubled for Triple-A New Orleans on Wednesday.
Broadway was a big disappointment in 2005, but he's back looking like a future regular while hitting .345/.383/.543 in 116 at-bats for New Orleans. His path to Washington was blocked by the long-term contract given to Nick Johnson in the spring, but if he keeps hitting, another organization could trade for him.

[General]

Ramon Ortiz dropped to 0-4 after giving up six runs in 6 1/3 innings against the Braves on Friday.
It didn't need to be that bad. Ortiz allowed three runs over the first six innings. The seventh started with a Marcus Giles double, a sac bunt, an intentional walk to Chipper Jones and then an RBI single from Andruw Jones. Ortiz was pulled after that, and both inherited runners came around to score off Jay Bergmann. Ortiz is generally a lousy play in NL-only leagues right now, but those in need of a starter could try him against the Cubs next week.

[McKain]

How much longer should we suffer, Robinson? Pull Ortiz fromt he rotation already ARGH

[General]

Alfonso Soriano was back hitting leadoff on Friday, and manager Frank Robinson indicated it would be a permanent move.
"If he can produce, he's up there for the rest of the year," Robinson said. If Soriano is going to bat leadoff, it'd be good news for Ryan Church, who has been benched in favor of Marlon Byrd, supposedly a superior leadoff hitter. Byrd hit second tonight, but Church needs to play, too. Soriano went 1-for-4 and committed two errors in left field against the Braves. Batting leadoff doesn't help his fantasy value, as he won't have anyone to drive in

[General]

Chad Cordero gave up five runs in two-thirds of an inning to blow a two-run lead and take a loss on Saturday.
Brian McCann started the bottom of the ninth with a homer. Two clean singles followed, putting men on first and second for Edgar Renteria. Renteria tried to bunt them over, but Cordero made a great play to retire the lead runner. After that, Chipper Jones had an infield single that Jose Vidro got a glove on but couldn't bring in. Cordero battled back to strike out Andruw Jones, but on a 1-0 count, he threw a horrible slider right into Jeff Francoeur's wheelhouse. That was that. Cordero entered with a 2.12 ERA, but he has just three saves in five chances this season.

[love_that_reefer]

Soriano back at leadoff? Good god man, what's going on in Washington?

[Providence A's]

I keep reading rumors about Livan going to the Mets due to his Omar connection and the fact that the Mets won't get Dontrelle or Zito.

[McKain]

Poor Mets, if so. Livan is reaching the steepest part of a decline due to wear and tear on his arm.

[McKain]

also, the Nationals have shown interest in signing the recently-DFA'd Danny Graves.

yay Jim Bowden.

[Providence A's]

Livan has been a horse in his career...the definition of innings eater since 1998.

[Bear]

Yes he has been a hores in his career in more than one way! But the one thing he does best is HIT. JMO

[love_that_reefer]

Mets would be dumb to get Livan this year. He has been dreadful!