Thursday, June 6, 2013

Nats-Mets postponed, rotation adjusted



[Updated 9:57 p.m.]

By Chase Hughes
CSNwashington.com

Thursday’s series finale between the Nationals and Mets was postponed due to heavy rain, with a makeup date set for July 26. The two teams will play a doubleheader with the first game at 1:35 p.m. and the second, regularly scheduled matchup at 7:05 p.m.

The unexpected day off gives Washington the opportunity to adjust their pitching plans for the weekend. The Nats were planning to call up veteran Ross Ohlendorf from Triple-A to pitch Saturday, but now don’t have to.

Gio Gonzalez moves over to pitch Friday against the Twins with Nathan Karns set to pitch on Saturday. Washington can also now keep lefty reliever Xavier Cedeno on the roster.

"With the number of guys we have on the DL, this is a welcome call,” Johnson said. “And then not having to add somebody else, another starter, and then we've got an off-day on Monday. So we would have just really made a bunch of guys move around. This is much better. So I'm happy about it."


The Nationals were planning to pitch Ohlendorf only because both Stephen Strasburg and Ross Detwiler are on the disabled list. If Johnson could choose, he wouldn’t mind the game on Friday to be rained out as well.

“This is good. And even one more rainout would be better,” he said. “That'll probably set my pitching up to be even better, because Det and Stras will be coming back.”

Strasburg was officially placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, retroactive to June 1, with a right lat strain. He is eligible to return on June 16 when the Nats are on the road against Cleveland.

Johnson said Strasburg will throw a simulated game on Tuesday in Colorado. He threw on Thursday and is progressing well.

"He went out early and he was throwing,” Johnson said. “He threw a lot before [Steve McCatty] got there. He was feeling real frisky, and Cat had to cut him short. But he's chomping at the bit to get back on the rubber.”

58 comments:

Unknown said...

Okay rain do your thing and get outa here for tomorrow nights game

DaveB said...

So ... I assume, based on the rumours, that Ohlendorf was about to opt out of his Nats contract, but stayed based on the opportunity to get called up. Does he opt-out now? Or wait longer to see if Ross or Stras are really ready?

Drew said...

Sorry for the rain in D.C. I'm at Coors Field, where the weather is glorious. I'm wearing a Nats shirt and sitting 25 rows behind the plate.

Five rows in front of me, two young guys are wearing Nats caps. Turns out they're from Fauquier and they're out here playing for a travel team. Nats Town is representing at Coors Field.

With the Padres here at Coors Field, I guess the beer is pastor-ized.

baseballswami said...

Enjoy the game!!! Post about it- it's so boring here. But we really caught a break with the rotation. Imagine that! We caught an actual break. And a day for Jayson to rest . And a chance for us to play a division game later on , hopefully when we are not so, well , what are we right now???

Anonymous said...

No Ohlendorf? FINALLY, the Nats catch a break. I'm just worried that like Jaws, he'll be back just when we think it is safe to go to the park again.

Anonymous said...

@DaveB - "Does he opt-out now?"

Let's hope.

JaneB said...

Drew! Enjoy the game! Virtual fist bump for representing DC!

baseballswami said...

Is he taking up a forty man spot? If not, I don't care. I cannot believe how long this draft is going to go before we get a player. So used to it being early. I think Jordan was a later pick. Could get a good player.

baseballswami said...

They just compared the draft pick to Tyler Moore!!! Kid is from Mississippi, probably why.

Section 222 said...

Have a great time Drew! Only downside to the rainout is that the Nats might not become "the only team to use two crappy former starting pitchers from the 2009 Pirates this year." h/t karlkolchak

SonnyG10 said...

Drew said...

...With the Padres here at Coors Field, I guess the beer is pastor-ized.
June 06, 2013 8:11 PM


Drew, you crack me up. That was funny! How do you think of these things?

SW said...

I don't get Mark's tweet about Stras - Davey says Strasburg will likely pitch simulated game Tuesday in Colorado. All goes well, he would return 6/16 at Philly.

6/16, the first day Stras can come back, is a Sunday game at Cleveland. They don't get to Philly til Monday, 6/17.

Wherever it is, hope he's 100% sooner rather than later.

baseballswami said...

It's no surprise that anyone has the schedule confused. What exactly is our rotation right now? I think we have the next two days maybe. Gio and Karns?? Then JZ on Sunday? After that? Who knows?

Drew said...

Coors Field is a lovely ballpark. The interior concourse is reminiscent of Nats Park, without our classic paintings of Hall of Famers on the pillars.

In centerfield there is an exaggerated, elevated grandstand, which I guess is an allusion to the Rocky Mountains, a nice hometown touch.

The ballpark's brick exterior owes something to Camden Yards, but it's more like the buff red you see on some of the attractive older homes and hotels in Denver.

I guess I should have known this, but until we saw Sting at the luminescent Red Rocks Amphitheatre, I didn't realize that Colorado means "color red".

Tulo's up, time to pay attention.

David Proctor said...

Interesting article by Kilgore about our possible selection. LHP Sean Maenea. Has injury concerns, but per him:

"Even with his injuries, he struck out 93 batters in 73 1/3 innings with a 1.47 ERA. In the Cape Cod League, his fastball hit 98 miles per hour."

pwilly said...

Tomorrow night's forecast doesn't look any better than tonight. If Friday's game is postponed they could either play 2 on Saturday or make it up on Monday since both teams are off.

David Proctor said...

The rain was supposed to stop by game time tomorrow. It could go late into the afternoon, but we should be okay. Unless the forecast has changed.

Doc said...

Thanks to the baseball gods for the rain.

We can avoid the NL's worst offense and almost worst pitching from beating us 10-1 again!!!

baseballswami said...

That is what I read, David. My guess is they really try to get it in tomorrow night. Not exactly a hurricane- 2 inches of rain is doable. They really can't mess with the Saturday 4 pm game because of the concert. Sunday would be tough to change. Both teams really off on Monday? Wonder where the twins are going. Drew and Tyler had lunch at an elementary school today- it was a charity auction thing. The kids look ecstatic in the picture. I love how the guys have become such a big part of this large and diverse community. By the way-- Mrs. LaRoche is hosting an event Sunday- you bring new and gently used baseball equipment for Little League teams with no resources.

NatsLady said...

The Twins are going home. They would have to approve a day-night double header on Sunday (per the CBA), but a traditional double-header would work. I doubt they could play on Monday, it might run up against the 20 game limitation.

NatsLady said...

Milwaukee is horrible.

baseballswami said...

And we have to go to Coors. Ugh. It does not get easier.

NatsLady said...

Tired baseball--may contribute to injuries.

tired baseball

http://www.baseballanalytics.org/baseball-analytics-blog/2013/6/3/peter-gammons-tired-baseball.html

natsfan1a said...

Thanks for the report, Drew. Looking forward to seeing Coors Field for the first time next week, with my husband and Chicago-now-Denver baseball buddy.

Eugene in Oregon said...

swami @ 9:04 wonders what exactly the Nats rotation is these days. What about:

-- Gio and Jordan and hope it keeps pourin' ?

or

-- Gonzalez and Zimmerman and hope for a hurrican' ?

Dave said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
NatsLady said...

I plan to go. Only one student scheduled. Usually I would go over in the morning to buy my ticket, but I may wait to see.

How does Gibson leave Ian Kennedy in to give up 8 runs?


Daniel Descalso doubles (9) on a fly ball to right fielder Gerardo Parra.
2. Jon Jay singles on a line drive to right fielder Gerardo Parra. Daniel Descalso scores.
3. Shelby Miller strikes out on a foul bunt.
4. Matt Carpenter singles on a fly ball to left fielder Jason Kubel. Jon Jay to 2nd.
5. Yadier Molina grounds out softly, pitcher Ian Kennedy to shortstop Didi Gregorius to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Jon Jay to 3rd. Matt Carpenter to 2nd.
6. Matt Holliday walks.
Coaching visit to mound.
7. Allen Craig singles on a sharp line drive to center fielder A. J. Pollock. Jon Jay scores. Matt Carpenter scores. Matt Holliday to 3rd.
8. Matt Adams homers (4) on a fly ball to right field. Matt Holliday scores. Allen Craig scores.
9. David Freese walks.
10. Daniel Descalso homers (3) on a fly ball to right field. David Freese scores.
11. Jon Jay strikes out swinging.

Dave said...

Weather Channel app says DC has an 80% chance of rain at 7:00 PM tomorrow, 70% at 10:00. I'm going, but I'm not counting on seeing a game.

Get Your Re(n)d On said...

"NatsJack in Florida said...

Another rain out tommorrow would be perfect for reset."

Since they would have to make up the game with a doubleheader on Sunday, it doesn't reset anything. And it could cause problems down the road. With no rainout, you have Gio Friday, Karns Saturday and Zimmerman Sunday. But if it rains you likely have Gio on Saturday and then Karns and Zimmermann on Sunday. Monday is an off day and Haren pitches Tuesday. But then who pitches Wednesday? Gio can if he pitches Friday, but he's on short rest if his Friday start gets postponed to Saturday.

David Proctor said...

The Nationals are still 35 picks away from drafting. It's gonna be like 2 am at this rate.

NatsLady said...

If Det pitches 40-50 in Potomac on Saturday can't he pitch on Wednesday (she says, hopefully)?

Get Your Re(n)d On said...

If they have a doubleheader and use the 26th man to call up Ohlendorf to pitch one of the games, it still doesn't reset anything. Just pushes everyone back a day, which guys like Gio and Zimmermann may not need.

baseballswami said...

I am just hoping he can find the strike zone and feels well the next day. No more setbacks!!!!

Get Your Re(n)d On said...

Split doubleheader with the Mets on Friday 7/26. Makeup game @ 1:35 pm, regular game at 7:05 pm.

baseballswami said...

So we should be good to go be then, right??

Don said...

Harper to Dr. Andrews?? For a knee contusion? what the what?

NatsLady said...

Don, yeah. I been worried since Harper said a few days ago he might not be ready to come back on schedule. Kid wants to play, and if he said that, it's more serious than they were letting on.

baseballswami said...

Apparently he was doing some under water exercising and it swelled up again. They are puzzled and want another opinion. Good plan I think.

baseballswami said...

Did we pick yet? I will check in the morning.

David Proctor said...

Our pick is coming up in about 10 minutes.

NatsLady said...

swami, no. They are only on No. 59. Going very slow.

David Proctor said...

Nats coming up next!

David Proctor said...

Adam Kilgore ‏@AdamKilgoreWP 41s
Nats take right-hander Jacob Johansen. Throws 99, per MLB Network.

NatsLady said...

Jake
Johansen | RHP
Dallas Baptist
DOB: 01/23/1991

Is this the guy we wanted?

CN said...

Kid only has the fastball, according to the MLB tv crew

David Proctor said...

He's not a starter. He's a bullpen arm.

David Proctor said...

Nathan Rode ‏@NathanRode 1m
#Nationals first pick is RHP Jake Johansen. Triple digits but can't throw strikes. Reliever. Bit of a head scratcher here. #mlbdraft


Oh so we resigned Henry Rodriguez...

CN said...

College sr, have to wonder if they go for a riskier player later that they can sign well above slot

David Proctor said...

That would be in line with what Rizzo loves to do, CN.

David Proctor said...

Comack: "ESPN's Keith Law had Johansen as No. 66-ranked talent in his Top 100."

Sounds like he went about where expected.

David Proctor said...

Baseball America has Johansen rated the No. 182 overall prospect

Definitely think Rizzo has something planned later.

NatsLady said...

That's quite a difference in evaluation 66 vs. 182.

David Proctor said...

He's a high upside guy. Can't teach 99mph and all that. Has some risk attached.

David Proctor said...

Interestng, the Nats view him as a starter.

NatsLady said...

Wow, baserunning error by Schafer, double play! LOL

NatsLady said...

Puig with a grand slam in the bottom of the 8th for LA.

Scooter said...

Y'all probably saw the new post, about the pick.

Rabbit34 said...

Drew....about the beer and Padres and Coors field, when I looked a little closer at your sentence....Haha, nice wit!

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