NEW YORK -- Struggling right-hander Garrett Mock was optioned to Class AAA Syracuse this morning, clearing space on the Nationals' 25-man roster for Livan Hernandez, who starts today's series finale against the Mets.
Mock, who at one point last month was classified as the club's No. 3 starter behind John Lannan and Jason Marquis, barely squeezed his way onto the Opening Day roster as the final member of the rotation despite a less-than-spectacular spring. He didn't help his cause Friday night in his season debut, lasting only 3 2/3 innings while throwing a whopping 84 pitches.
The somewhat-surprising move was made possible because the Nationals don't need five starting pitchers until next Sunday. They'll proceed into the next week with only four starters (Lannan, Marquis, Hernandez and Craig Stammen) and eight relievers.
Because a player optioned to Class AAA must spend at least 10 days in the minors before getting recalled (barring an injury), Mock won't be eligible to return in time for next Sunday's start. The club will need to call up another starter, with Scott Olsen the most likely candidate.
More to come later...
Here's a full recap of all today's roster moves on CSNwashington.com.
14 comments:
No surprise, as I predicted yesterday. Apparently they did not need to DFA Mock to make room for Livo on the 40-man since they put Detwiler, Wang and Flores on the 60-day DL earlier. But I predict that Mock will not be back - as a starter at least - and well may end up being cut once those guys start coming off the 60-day DL and roster space needs to be found for them.
Sorry, its Bernadina (never noticed the missing "r" before).
Just read that Bernardina is in the clubhouse. Will Morse go tp the 15 day DL to make room?
I saw Morse limping slightly as he ran out his AB.
Ladson confirms Morse to DL on Twitter.
Wasn't expecting this but not surprised by this. I guess they want to continue to let the bullpen auditions play out, especially with none of our starters going deep into games.
Would be glad to see Bernadina back. I'm not a believer in Mike Morse. Just want to make sure Bernadina's getting enough at bats. He had a good couple of games at Syracuse but I think that he needs to be playing every day right now as he works on getting back into things.
So far Olsen is not doing the deal in Syracuse. He seems to have regressed from his last ST performances. Turn Clippard into a starter!!
@Doc,
While I'm glad you were similarly impressed by Clippard's efforts, it would be nice to have one young piece locked into an effective bullpen role who can deliver on that role. Clippard helped a lot towards getting us a win as a reliever. I'd just like him to keep doing that. The Bugs Bunny changeup is not likely to work three times through the order in my opinion, and the Mets have some freeswingers who may be particularly susceptible to it.
We've still got more pitching inventory to cycle through, and I'd like to see JD Martin get an interim starter's job before we convert Clippard back.
It often seems that guys like Mike Morse just can't catch a break. Here is an opportunity for some playing time with the big-league team, and he goes down with an injury.
Morse has had plenty of opportunities. Personally, I feel he is a AAAA guy and would rather see him helping Syracuse get to the playoffs and have Bernadina helping out our defense. Bernadina has 4th OF potential if he can pinch hit because he's a plus defender. Morse can't play defense anywhere on the diamond really.
One start and Mock is out? Should they DFA Marquis while they are at it? I think that Mock would fair better in the bullpen, but I don't think he was given nearly enough of a chance in the Major Leagues.
Good Move!! Now to bring JD back and let's keep this (1 in a row) Alive!!
I like that the first professional observer to suggest Mock as a potential candidate for this move was in fact our own Mark Zuckerman (Adam Kilgore of the Post raised the possibility in his bit in today's paper, then dismissed it as unlikely). Prophetic. Now, is Zuckerman doing Powerball numbers?
I realize Olsen, due to his contract is the likely replacement, but his first start for Syracuse did not go well. JD Martin, on the other hand, pitched well. When are they each scheduled to pitch this week?
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