CHICAGO -- The Nationals optioned rookie left-hander Jesse English to Class AAA Syracuse following tonight's win, clearing roster space for outfielder Roger Bernadina, who will be recalled before tomorrow's series finale at Wrigley Field.
English performed well in the first seven games of his big-league career, posting a 3.86 ERA and faring well against some tough left-handed sluggers like the Phillies' Ryan Howard.
But the Nats needed to add another position player to account for nagging injuries to Ryan Zimmerman, Willie Harris and Ivan Rodriguez. And with off-days coming up Thursday and Monday, the club can afford to go with a six-man bullpen for a little while.
"This isn't a demotion," general manager Mike Rizzo said of English, who had never pitched above Class AA before making the Opening Day roster. "This is a strategic roster move, because we feel we need to get a healthy position player in here. It wasn't for anything that he did poorly. He pitched fine."
8 comments:
He should have optioned JMax, but he has a mancrush on him.
They should have sent Bruney down, so he can learn how to throw a strike again.
English is the obvious choice because he has options. Just kinda sucks because I was looking forward to seeing more of him. Hopefully Bernadina impresses while he's up here and English dominates in AAA and we DFA taveras and bring Jesse back up.
Yeah I was really hoping it wouldn't be English, but he'll be back by this Summer no doubt.
Bruney should be given a chance to redeem himself (in low leverage situations), but his 8th inning job is now Clippard's.
grandstander, this is just until the big boys are better.
Also, do i get a prize for calling this earlier? I guess it was obvious, but still.
Anonymous said...
They should have sent Bruney down, so he can learn how to throw a strike again.
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He's never been able to throw strikes. That's why the Yankees let him go.
Aeoliano, if the whole point is to have more position players with the Nats, sending JMax down to clear a roster spot for Bernadina would defeat the purpose. They had to send down a reliever.
why'd we let go Beimel and replace him with Bruney?
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