PHILADELPHIA -- Right-hander Jason Bergmann has been designated for assignment, clearing space on the Nationals' roster for lefty Scott Olsen.
Bergmann, who was out of options, has 10 days to either be traded, claimed by another club or pass through waivers and be outrighted to Class AAA Syracuse. General manager Mike Rizzo said the organization won't release the 28-year-old if he clears waivers.Bergmann sensed the move was coming since struggling during last night's 14-7 loss to the Phillies, in which he served up a two-run homer to Shane Victorino. He appeared in only four games, totaling 2 1/3 innings, since the season began but was scored upon three times.
The right-hander had been optioned eight different times over the last four years, but that didn't make today's news any easier to swallow. Originally an 11th round draft pick of the Expos in 2002, he is one of the longest-tenured players in the organization.
"I'm not going to make any excuses; I didn't pitch real well," he said. "But I got fired from my job today. That's the hardest thing to deal with. It's probably the worst day of my life right now. I've got to find a way to move on and see what the next few days may bring."
Bergmann said he plans to return to Washington, gather his belongings and probably return to his home in Viera, Fla., while waiting to learn his fate. Though he said he would love to remain with this organization, he'll also jump at the opportunity to pitch elsewhere if another club comes calling.
"I want to be a major-league pitcher," he said. "I respect this organization a lot. But if I can catch on somewhere else, that's the business of baseball. If not, I'd love to come back here and pitch for this team, because this is the team I've grown up with and I do like it here. I like the people. I'm familiar with the situation that they're going forward with, and I'd like to be a part of that."
Bergmann's removal from the 40-man roster allows rookie left-hander Jesse English to remain. English has appeared in five games so far, allowing two runs and seven hits over five innings, but helped his cause last night with 2 2/3 scoreless innings.
"This is a performance-based league that we're in, and Jason just didn't have the consistency, the consistent outings, that we could rely on for a long-term answer for us," Rizzo said. "We felt that other guys were pitching better than him. The decision came down to: Do we take a guy that's throwing well for us because he has options, or do we just go with the best seven guys that we feel can help the club win?"
26 comments:
Yes!
Wegman's.
Wa-a-a-a-a-y-y-y overdue!
finally
I would've been really disappointed if it had been anyone else.
It's about time they got rid of beachball
Next in line: Miguel Batista, followed by Tyler Walker.
Although, if the starters keep pitching the way they have, the extra bullpen arm (no matter who) might be beneficial. So, really, maybe Taveras will be the next one to go once the team decides on which reliever to promote/sign.
He's out of options alright. out of career options.
I would say that Stammen is on a short leash and it won't be long before he is demoted to the pen. I thnk they may have to let another RP go and bring up a starter from Syracuse. It could be Martin but I don't think they were all that impressed with him in the later part of ST.Wang and Detwiler certainaly won't be ready . I don't know who else is available .
On one hand it's a bummer for Bergy and I hope we don't lose him altogether.
On the other hand, it's nice to see these decisions are based on performance, not options.
Maybe he can do a guess spot on Jersey Shore or Jerseylicious I cannot wait for him to be out of the organization, he is Mike O'Conner with less hair!!
I've always liked Jason but he is so inconsistant. One time he pitches great and then another he emplodes. I just don't understand why this is so.
Wow! The right move. This guy was not only not helping us win games, he was actually helping us loss them. Reminds me a lot of when Mel Rojas was with the Mets.
Free at last!
Maxwell could be next if he doesn't manage to hit. Bernadina gets called up and pretty much exclusively sits on the bench. Maxwell gets called up and gets inserted into the starting lineup.
Dukes performance in ST was way better than Maxwell's. Maxwell had 1 good night in SYR where he managed a couple of doubles. This is the guy who said he lost it when he got sent down ... and his attitude showed it in his performance last year in 'cuse.
When does this guy get the short leash?
I think my top five most exasperated nats moments probably all came with bergmann on the mound. Every time he trots out from the bullpen, even with a lead, it's like I know we're gonna lose.
It's been a long time coming. Finally it's here.
Bye-bye, Bergie. I never will forget Opening Day 2010, with 30,000 Phillies fans in the ballpark, the bases loaded, Bergmann being brought in to put out the fire...and the ensuing grand slam that drove the nail in the coffin.
Seems like he has been doing the exact opposite of what a relief pitcher is supposed to do. The position is not called "increased discomfort pitcher."
Down goes Bergman! Down goes Bergman!
I agree with NatsNut. I was afraid English would be sent down, and he's one of the few guys doing a decent job at this point. Bergmann seemed like a great person, but he's never delivered the goods. Just about any waiver wire pitcher could do what he does if we ever need another warm body in the pen. I want the Nats to build a team based on cold-hearted analysis of who will bring us the most wins, not penny-wise, pound-foolish picks.
Besides, if he clears waivers, maybe he'll end up in Syracuse anyway.
And Really, who's crazy enough to claim him?
I wish Bergmann well. I was going to say I hope he passes through waivers and goes to Syracuse, but perhaps I hope instead that he is claimed by an AL team, and finds the success we hoped he'd have here.
Jason Bergmann is a class act; maybe there is yet another chapter to be written.
I totally agree that this is the right decision for the Nats. But let's take it easy on the schadenfreude, eh? Performance aside, Bergmann's been among the most gracious and accommodating of Nats for the fans. And this quote (via Adam Kilgore's tweet) just breaks my heart: "I got fired from my job today. This is probably the worst day of my life right now."
Mark - Great scoop on this! I feel for Jason and his family though. That is tough. Watching Jason transition from a starter to bullpen seemed to work last year and this year has been a disaster.
What I don't get is Maxwell not doing anything and getting a promotion for what I perceive is he is the teacher's pet.
The consequences of not doing your job is what happened to Bergmann although in baseball and life is redemption. Jason can still be picked up or reassigned.
Again, good luck to him.
Steve M., Maxwell got a promotion based on the fact that we are short a righthanded bat with Morse on the DL and Zim banged up. He also went 5 for 15 w/ 5 walks at Syracuse. Also the Nats are facing J.A Happ, Randy Wolf and Doug Davis (all left handed) in 3 of the 4 games coming up. Make a little more sense now?
PDowdy -
Stop using logical arguments! Can't you see that Maxwell got called up because the Lerners are cheap, Rizzo promotes only his favorite players, and because the team wants to fail? :)
Go Nats. Start a winning streak today.
Re : "five most exasperated Nats moments." All mine involve Saul Rivera.
He will end up in Cleveland
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