Chien-Ming Wang faced hitters in a simulated game earlier today, another key step toward the right-hander's return from a hamstring injury. 
Facing batters at the Nationals' extended spring training complex in Viera, Fla., Wang threw 35 pitches "He threw really good," manager Davey Johnson said. "The report I got was ... he had really, good, hard sink and a great curveball, which we saw in his last outing before he hurt his hammy."
Wang injured himself March 15 trying to make a play at first base, tumbling awkwardly to the ground. He opened the season on the 15-day disabled list but was able to keep his arm in shape while waiting for the hamstring strain to heal.
The plan from here for Wang is not entirely clear. Johnson said today the right-hander will begin a rehab assignment with one of the Nationals' minor-league affiliates in five days, but general manager Mike Rizzo said Monday that Wang would need to pitch in a second simulated game in Florida before heading north.
Once he does start pitching in minor-league games, Wang must come off the DL within 30 days. Whenever that day comes, the Nationals will have a tough decision to make, needing to bump someone (most likely Ross Detwiler) from a starting rotation that entering tonight has posted a major-league-best 1.69 ERA.
"It's kind of a nice problem to have, being that crowded," Johnson said. "But that's going to be a Rizzo problem."
Meanwhile, Brad Lidge's tense save last night looks even more impressive with the revelation that the veteran reliever had been dealing with vertigo for several days.
Johnson said Lidge had woken up at least four consecutive days feeling dizzy and unable to balance himself out. He was treated at the ballpark, but the manager wasn't sure his fill-in closer would even be available to pitch before summoning him for the ninth inning of a 1-0 game.
Lidge appears to be fine now.
"He said this morning was the first morning he woke up without feeling vertigo," Johnson said. "And if you've ever had vertigo, it's something you don't want. You can't hardly walk a straight line."
17 comments:
Cat fight, must read:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-wire/post/nationals-box-tickets-again-a-bone-of-contention-for-council/2012/04/16/gIQAkH6wLT_blog.html
Dizzy? Cant walk? Vertigo?
I thought that was alcoholism
24 years of meetings for nothing....
Don't make fun of akcoholism, it is a serious promblem for many...
I wonder if the vertigo story is being circulated to unsettle the batters facing Lidge? It would certainly give them something else to worry about.
Encouraging news about Wang. I've had episodes of vertigo and can't imagine trying to pitch with it.
Well, actually, I can't imagine trying to pitch without it, either, but you get the idea.
Bummer about Pudge evidently retiring before he wished to but he had quite a career. Would make a good skipper some day, I think.
anon:
Don't make fun of akcoholism, it is a serious promblem for many...
i know. that's why i quit. i reserve the right to make fun of myself, but if anyone is offended, of course i apologize
Someone tell Lidge yo take magnesium - great for settling down vertigo
@hmmm...Congratulations on your 24 years, or however many. We knew you were just making a joke. No need to apologize. I thought it was pretty funny.
Now, pass the bourbon and Maalox, please...
Yes, rmoore, it's a bunch of lies - conspiracy!
Maybe I'm one of THEM!
sunshine -
i'll toast you with a coffee and maalox
hmmmm - we are toasting you in our house, keep taking it one day at a time
I was going to write about magnesium, too, sm13!
Why would it be Det to go down? 30 days from now is past the date when they could trade Wang or even decide to put him in the minors. Unless Det blows up between now and then, how do you move him to bring in Wang?
Pudge set to announce his retirement Monday....
Alcoholism is indeed a serious problem, affecting many family members in ways they can't anticipate for years on end. For Lidge we want a speedy recovery from whatever is the cause of the vertigo.
As for Pudge, I had hoped he would become a player/coach for Miami, on the way to becoming a manager. The Marlins need to connect with their community and Pudge is a great ambassador. It was always an honor to see him play, or guiding the other players.
I realize we paid Wang a boatload of money and Rizzo is going to get his money's worth out of him -- but in a flash, everything has changed. With the additions of Jackson and emergence of a near dominant Detweiler -- the Nats no longer need 4.00 + era Wang. I really dont want to see Detweiler coming out of the rotation for Wang.
Let's trade Wang and get some value out of him.
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