Friday, June 10, 2011

Mattheus up, Kimball to DL, Zim to Syracuse

Updated at 5:25 p.m.

The Nationals have purchased the contract of Ryan Mattheus from Class AAA Syracuse and have placed fellow reliever Cole Kimball on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.

It's unclear how severe Kimball's injury is or when it occurred, but the rookie right-hander entered with the bases loaded in the sixth inning of last night's loss in San Diego and immediately walked pinch-hitter Kyle Phillips on five pitches to force in a run. He wound up facing two more Padres batters and induced flyouts from each before departing.

Kimball, 25, has impressed overall since his promotion, posting a 1.93 ERA in 12 relief appearances, though he has issued 11 walks in 14 innings.

Mattheus wasn't much on the club's radar during spring training, but the right-hander quickly thrust himself into the mix once the season began, going a combined 2-1 with a 1.46 ERA in 22 appearances between Syracuse and Class AA Harrisburg. He did not allow a run in 10 innings at Class AAA.

The 27-year-old was acquired from the Rockies in July 2009 in a trade that sent veteran Joe Beimel to Colorado, but he missed most of 2010 following Tommy John surgery. Mattheus was not on the Nationals' 40-man roster, but the club had an open slot to add him today.

Meanwhile, Ryan Zimmerman will continue his rehab assignment tomorrow at Syracuse after playing one game at low-Class A Hagerstown and three games at high-Class A Potomac. Zimmerman, who is not playing today, is likely to be activated off the DL when the Nationals begin a homestand Tuesday against the Cardinals.

22 comments:

Pete said...

Cole Kimball looks like "Sloth" from Goonies.

Tcostant said...

Kimball injury is eyesight / location related. He can find the strike zone!

Anonymous said...

Mark -

Why not Ballestar?

- Mark in Arlington

Rich said...

Mark,

Do you hear any buzz about Antonelli in Syracuse? Or is he just roster filler?

Mr. Doggett said...

Pete,

SLOTH LOVE CHUNK!!!

Anonymous said...

Mattheus is currently the ace of the Syracuse bullpen. He beat out Carr (now on the DL like Kimball), Balester, and Wilkie. Hassan Pena now takes over as closer. Ryan Tatusko is added to the SYR bullpen in place of Mattheus.

George Brett said...

Funny how people seem to get injured after they have bad outings. Seems to me that statistically you would injured just as often after a good outing.

I would agree that eye sight probably needs checking (as it is due for almost all the hitters).

Sec314 said...

George Brett,
If that's true, when do Stairs and Ankiel go on the DL?

Nice that they can bring up a new arm.... but good grief, what this team needs is bats! Antonelli? Marerro? Tyler Moore? Lombardozzi?

Get Some Players said...

I understand Strasburg is throwing in the San Diego bullpen right now, according to MLB Network.

NatStat said...

Hey, we finally got something for trading a vet late in the season. Seems to be a delayed reaction though!

Biemel is now in Pitts. The pitcher we got from the Fish for N.Johnson, has long since disappeared---at least from Nats' view.

So wad happened to Bally? He had rough spot a 'Scuse, but he's doing OK now.

Anonymous said...

Why does it say the Nats "purchased" the new guy's contract? If he was on the 40-man roster, wasn't he in SYR on optional assignment? Anyone?

JayB said...

The pattern is a joke....Riggs brings in the some pitchers in key spots...they suck over and over again and then they fake injury to get them out.....meanwhile loses mount up....RIGSS IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST PROBLEM and the easiest cheapest (HEAR THAT LERNER) solution....just fire the guy please.

Anonymous said...

Any chance Matt Stairs needs Tommy Johns surgery?

JayB said...

anyone going to be surprised when Riggs brings in Burnett tonight and loses the game and goes on the DL tomorrow?

KC5 said...

Jim Riggleman is the single biggest problem on this team? I wasn't aware that he hits and pitches for the Nationals in addition to his duties as Manager.

UnkyD said...

Anon5:58.... Second from last paragraph. He was not on the 40, but they had a slot for him.

UnkyD said...

JayB... Has Kimball sucked, over and over again, while I wasn't looking?

NatsJack in Florida said...

I officially recall the APB on JayB. Glad to have you back (sorta).

And apparently the anonymous poster on the previous thread has had a nerve pinched based on all the classy comments referencing me (he says with a smirk on his face). Feels powerfull having that sort of impact on him.

But back to baseball. Looking forward to seeing Mattheus in action. He was miles ahead of everyone last fall in the Instructional League.

JaneB said...

I'm sorry for Cole. I hope it gets better with rest. Surprised it isn't Collin, but glad to hear this guy's numbers. And, not being snarky, I'm celebrating the last weekend we have Matt Stairs on the 40 man. Someone has to move outta there to make room for Zimm on Tuesday. Let's send good vibes Matt's direction and jus bless him on his way.

Anonymous said...

its just like the Redskins. Is the team bad because they are hurt. Or are they hurt because they are BAD!!!!

BinM said...

@anon-5:58: Mattheus agreed to a major-league $ contract in the off-season, but was not on the 40-man roster. Hence, his rights were purchased from Syracuse, but his paychecks don't change in value.

BinM said...

@JayB: Again with the negative vibes; Man, you are such a downer. If Riggleman is the singularity in this teams' problems, please offer up some available replacements. Give us your top-5 list, based on availability; No need to limit yourself to former MLB managers - Just no-one in a current MLB Mgr. / Bench coach /base coach job outside the WSH org.

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