THE BELTWAY BOYS: DRESE QUESTIONABLE FOR OPENING DAY -- IS THAT A GOOD THING OR A BAD THING?

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DRESE QUESTIONABLE FOR OPENING DAY -- IS THAT A GOOD THING OR A BAD THING?

[February 28th] -- Livan Hernandez's knee is "fine" but the Nationals are going to take it slow with their big right-hander. Luis Ayala's elbow is "tender" but team official's think he'll be okay "soon." Robert Fick has "floaties" in his right elbow but he's going to "gut it out" this year before having surgery. Brian Lawrence is likely done for the year. And Ryan Drese? Well, that depends on who you ask.

The team is saying that he is throwing pain free, but they want Drese to take it slowly. Hmmm. Sound familiar? After a winter of reports that Drese would be "good to go" by spring, the Washington Post is reporting that team officials still think there is a "chance" that Drese will be available on opening day. A chance? The Nationals need more than a "chance." Livan Hernandez is coming off of an injury. Tony Armas Jr. is coming off an injury. Newly signed Pedro Astacio has had is innings cut short the past three seasons because of injury. Ramon Ortiz is healthy, but he hasn't had a solid season in four years. John Patterson is in good shape, but he tired late last year due to the number of innings he pitched.

There are more questions in the rotations then answers. And that's scary. What does it say about a team's chances when they are counting on Ryan Drese to remain healthy? Livan should do well, and Patterson ought to continue to improve. But the Nationals have to hope that the rest of the rag-tag back of the rotation group stays healthy AND has career years. If both happens, the Nationals will be just fine. But if the planets don't align just right, well, I just don't want to think about it.......

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 10:14 PM

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Rasner Rocks For Yanks

What was it that Jim Bowden said when he lost Darrell Rasner to the Yankees through waivers last winter? Wasn't it something like, "C'mon, it wasn't like he was going to make an impact at the major league level?" Well Jimbo, it seems like some of your "minor" transactions are coming back to haunt you.

Rasner, a 6'3" righty from Carson City, Nevada, was waived February 11th by the Nationals, just a couple of weeks before the start of spring training. He was picked up and assigned to 'AAA' Columbus. He had some injuries this year, but it didn't effect his pitching. In 58 innings for the Clippers, Rasner went 4-0, 2.76. But wait. There's more.

Pitching on Sunday against the Twins, Rasner pitched 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. In two starts, he's now 1-0, 1.17.

What do you always like to say, Jim, something about "You can never have enough pitching?" Let's see, you waived Rasner, and he's starting for the Yankees. You waived Claudio Vargas, and he's starting for the Diamondbacks. You waived Byung Young Kim, and he's starting for the Rockies. You traded Tomo Ohka for a guy no longer in the major leagues, and he's starting for the Brewers.

Jim, if I were you, I'd stay away from the waiver wire. Seems like you haven't figured it that it's supposed to help the team, not hurt it.

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Big Changes, Little Names

Big happenings? Nah. Just happenings. Zach Day was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies and Capitol Punishment is reporting that the Nats have claimed him off the waiver wire. So we ended up getting Preston Wilson for nothing. That's nice. Billy Traber, he of the tight leash, was sent down to New Orleans and replaced by Mike O'Connor.

That's all well and good, but don't look to any of these moves making a difference in the play of the team. But hey, it's something to talk about. Right?