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Associated Press Roger Bernadina went 3-for-22 with three RBI for the Netherlands in the WBC. |
Nearly four weeks later, Bernadina is finally set to rejoin the Nationals, his long and winding WBC trek having taken him to Taiwan, Tokyo, Phoenix, San Francisco and now back to Viera at long last after the Netherlands was eliminated in the tournament's semifinal game last night.
Bernadina was right in the thick of the action for the surprise Netherlands team, which advanced out of pool play in Taiwan, then eliminated Cuba in the second round before finally falling to the powerhouse Dominican Republic team last night at AT&T park. Batting third and starting in center field for six of the Dutch's eight WBC games, Bernadina hit only .136 (3-for-22) but drove in three runs and played defensively to help his club advance as far as it did.
Bernadina (and the Nationals) did get a scare when he was struck in the wrist by a fastball on March 10 and had to miss two games, but he returned to play for the semifinal and went 1-for-4.
Now the Nationals must try to get their No. 4 outfielder back into regular-season shape in a condensed window, with only nine more days of Grapefruit League play and then one final exhibition game in Washington, March 29 against the Yankees.
Trouble is, Davey Johnson has wanted to use this final stretch of the spring to get his starters ready for Opening Day and plans to play most of them every day for the full nine innings. The veteran manager will have to find a way both to accomplish that while also getting Bernadina some necessary at-bats before camp winds down.
With Bernadina back in camp, only one member of the Nationals remains away for the WBC. Outfielder Eury Perez will cheer on his Dominican teammates in tonight's championship game against Puerto Rico before returning to Viera. Perez was already optioned to Class AAA Syracuse last week, though, so he'll report directly to minor-league camp upon his return.
45 comments:
If the Dominicans win, when are they going to have their parade?
Do they have time for a parade? It seems Dominicans play baseball throughout the year at this point. I wish Haiti also hd a baseball culture- something to hope for on the same island. Then again, I think the talk of the international draft could dry up the stream of Dominican players, as well.
I am very pleased that the Shark is so established by now. I don't doubt that he could, and eventually will, start for another team that isn't contending. I figure his first free agent year will take care of that. Pete's sake- if Justin Maxwell can start for the Astros, there must be a number of better teams that would take the Shark.
Of course, I hope that if the Nats let him go, it is in a trade because someone like Eury Perez or Brian Goodwin is knocking too hard to be ignored. No matter where Rogearvin's career takes him, I hope he gets that one big contract that sets a few generations of his family up for life. He has been a joy for Nats fans.
+1/2St.
Owings over Moore makes a lot of sense. They both fit the same profile: 5th OF, backup 1B, bat off the bench. ABs will be few and far between for that slot, mainly PH. Tracy is the primary 1B backup, the Shark is the main OF backup. Owings as a former pitcher has proved he can still hit even after multiple days off, so he has the advantage over Moore for the bench bat role. All it takes to keep Owings is a 40-man slot, and that will be available as soon as Rivero gets cut. Moore can be optioned to AAA, play every day, and be fresh and ready if he's needed due to injury to an OF or 1B.
When pinch hitting off the bench, how you play in the field doesn't matter. Whether you can field or not, the splinters still dig deep. The working youngster is turned into a sitting youngster. What kind of message does that send?
Ditto NJack on the message part. Not saying that Moore doesn't go down if he has a Nady start to the season but Johnson won't send him back in favor of an experiment.
People have to accept that sometimes feel good stories are only that -- stories.
Nats actually have an open 40 man roster slot - but Owings is not going to be in DC on April 1. Period.
If Owings didn't at least have a chance of going to DC, he would have been sent to minor league camp by now.
NatsJack in Florida said...
Phil Wood said Micah Owings is making the big club and Tyler Moore is going to Syracuse.
He never said who Owings is replacing on the 40 man (my guess would be Rivero) but there is no reason for Owings until he proves he can play defense.
March 19, 2013 5:33 PM
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Don't forget Phil Wood last week was also doubting whether or not Ryan Zimmerman was ready to play 3rd base and could start the season on the DL.
Ghost Of Steve M. said...
Looks like Wilson Ramos will 'up' his 7 innings he did yesterday to a full 9 on his next start!
He called a great game with JZim and they were definitely simpatico!
March 19, 2013 11:17 AM
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Looks like Ladson reiterated your point this afternoon on Ramos: "Ramos' last hurdle is to show that he can play nine innings. Johnson announced that would happen sometime this week."
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130319&content_id=42976882&vkey=news_was&c_id=was
Anybody wondering what the opposite of a "big looping swing" looks like, go check out Nelson Cruz's sixth inning double. Textbook.
Hi Natsinsiders
My best mate is travelling to Washington and will be there for the O's game on 28 May. Trying to convince him to be a Nats fan, not a Yankees fan, means I have to get him to the game. What's the best option - direct, stub hub or from a season ticket holder on here who doesn't want to go?
Aussie Gus
Gus....
I had good luck with Stub Hub last year...got three tickets in right field next to the bleachers for less than half face value. This was last year of course and tickets MAY be a bit more difficult to secure this year...
Next to the BULLPEN...not Bleachers.....
I really shouldn't post when half asleep...
Gus, definitely try stub hub, you can get some deals, but since it's an O's game, it might be a bit more. Look on the WaPo Sports page they have a link to buy tickets in the top 3rd of the page. IT gives you all the sites that selling.
Welcome back Roger. Glad you are okay
Aaron Boone ✔ @AaronBoone_ESPN
Watched Nats minor league games 2day. ARendon will be in Harrisburg playing 4days a wk at 3b, 2 days at 2nd, & 1 at SS.
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I looked through previous posts yesterday afternoon and not sure anyone posted this up on the "RENDON PLAN".
There were a few posters here that said this was never going to happen. It looks like it is.
Gus, I got my tickets for all Nats games through stubhub except NLCS tickets.
except opening day, all other games are not expensive. they are not as cheap as last season but they are reasonable unlike opening day where cheapest sitting ticket is $51. this is putting my OD plan in jeopardy. I will wait until the last minute to get the ticket. otherwise I will be going to work that day.
Gonat, that's the first we have heard of I believe. Is Aaron suggesting it or is that going to happen? none of the locals have tweeted anything in that regard.
Faraz, he said that is the actual plan in place moving forward on Rendon.
Rizzo had said last week on a radio interview that Rendon would play all 3 positions in Harrisburg however he never said how many games at each.
This is significant and once again shows who knows what here. One poster was adament in saying Rendon would only play 3rd and a couple of posters said he wouldn't play 2nd because of the increased risk of another ankle injury.
Austin Wagner @awags11
@AaronBoone_ESPN beginning of the end for danny
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This was the only reply to the Tweeter, but I still agree with another thought that this just suggests that if Rendon shines defensively at 2nd it gives the Nats flexibility for an injury to Desi or Espi because as we know Espi can play shortstop.
NatsJack, I know you are a true insider and can't disclose everything but always appreciate the tidbits you give us.
By the way, I posted a note for you above at 7:58 yesterday.
Between you and SteveM, its much appreciated the time and insight you give us.
NatsJack, there you go!
Roger that.
NatsJack in Florida said...
And, oh yes......welcome back Shark.
March 19, 2013 7:01 PM
NatsJack, to think Phil Wood could head down the path occupied for all these years by Bill Ladson.
Surely you can't be serious?
natsfan1a said...
Roger that.
NatsJack in Florida said...
And, oh yes......welcome back Shark.
March 19, 2013 7:01 PM
March 20, 2013 8:05 AM
Mac I'm glad I'm not the only one to see the light on Owings (bigs) and Moore (AAA). It makes to much sense noty to happen.
Tcostant, a guy who just picked up the bat full time against a guy whose main focus has been hitting all life? based on stats from ten games, you think Moore will go to AAA and Owings will play for a contender?
thanks Gonat, I must have missed that Rizzo's plan.
Boone was watching JZ's game against detroit with Rizzo so he is not making that plan up I guess.
(Whoops, bobbled the punchline.)
I am serious. And don't call me Shirley.
NatsJim said...
Surely you can't be serious?
March 20, 2013 8:32 AM
Isn't there one other line before 'and don't call me Shirley'?
See my second post, Faraz. :-)
makes sense now, 1a.
Seeing as how you posted your question at the same time I was posting my corrected item, I'll go ahead and add a virtual drink from me to you at the NIDO. :-)
(Get me, sec3, I'm adding columns!)
Good morning all. This seems as good a thread as any to make this offer. As some of you know, I'm a STH in section 314, right behind the plate in the Infield Gallery. I have four seats. About a week before each homestand, I send out an email to a fairly large list of friends and baseball acquaintances, indicating what tickets my group has not yet claimed during that homestand. I offer the tix for $22 each, which is less than their $24 face value at the gate. No service charges.
I have a feeling that my group will be using more tickets this year than ever before, but any Insiders who would like to be on the email list are welcome to contact me at Section314not222@gmail.com.
P.S. I'm afraid won't have any spare O.D. tickets, but the game on Thursday afternoon, April 4 is likely to be wide open. :-)
P.P.S. TyMo comes North for O.D. Owings does not.
nice, thanks.
NatsJack - I'm with you on Phil. As I posted last night, I don't really look to him for nitty gritty news but still I enjoy his commenting.
Also from last night - and as I've posted in past years - I chuckle when I read posts that impute the poster's situation onto the situation of highly skilled successful athlete-entertainers.
There are two guys in competition for the 5th OF/backup 1B/bat off the bench role. One has a career MLB slash line of .283/.310/.502 with 9 HR in 205 AB. The other has put up .263/.327/.513 with 10 HR in 156 AB. Realistically, Rizzo and Davey could choose either one of them. They both have about the same chance. The decision will probably be made based on what happens this week and next.
Mac, give tyler five years. I am sure he can accumulate more PA and a much better slashline. I cannot believe that you are using 205 AB from a pitcher across FIVE seasons as an argument against Tyler Moore.
Given the role that Micah & T-Mo are competing for, I think Owing's success as a batting pitcher is perfectly valid when considering him for a pinch-hitting role off the bench... having said that, I'd be incredibly surprised if Tyler is sent to Syracuse.
Faraz, Opening Day is less than two weeks away. What these players might do five years from now is irrelevant. It's all about what they can do NOW, in a role that will feature long periods of bench sitting and an occasional AB, likely in a critical situation.
NatsJim said...
Given the role that Micah & T-Mo are competing for, I think Owing's success as a batting pitcher is perfectly valid when considering him for a pinch-hitting role off the bench... having said that, I'd be incredibly surprised if Tyler is sent to Syracuse.
Jim, agreed. As I have said many times before, Micah Owings has competitively batted 2 to 3 ABs every 5 days as a pitcher and was extremely successful at it.
Give him 5 ABs every day and he will be even more successful I believe.
The problem is the Nats aren't an AL team and don't need a DH unless Rizzo wants to go back to having a designated bat like Matt Stairs (stares) and it doesn't make sense since TyMo gives you the bat and can play 1st and LF. In September, I would expect that Micah Owings will be fully evaluated as to how well he can play defense.
I also think Micah Owings is fully willing to go to AAA and prove himself.
Gonat said...
Austin Wagner @awags11
@AaronBoone_ESPN beginning of the end for danny
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This was the only reply to the Tweeter, but I still agree with another thought that this just suggests that if Rendon shines defensively at 2nd it gives the Nats flexibility for an injury to Desi or Espi because as we know Espi can play shortstop.
March 20, 2013 7:17 AM
Well said. I've said since the Nats drafted Rendon that they would move him to 2nd or LF. Well after the Nats traded for Span it essentially eliminated the LF option and by Rizzo working him at both positions (3rd/2nd) it gives the Nats a real upgrade over Lombo if needed and I think that is all we can look at this move as. While some see it as Espi's replacement, that isn't necessarily the motivation here.
Like I said before, ask Davey about Bobby Grich or maybe you shouldn't. He likes to talk about Don Baylor being blocked by Frank Robinson/Buford and Boog Powell but it was Grich who took over at 2nd and Davey was traded which is probably why Davey doesn't like to use that example.
This is a good problem to have in many options. As I have also noted, all reports are that Espi is making better contact earlier in the count with a more compact swing from the left side. Not only have they changed his mechanics but they seem to have a more aggressive approach. See that fastball and get on it early in the count.
Moore and Owings are not competing with each other. Owings is competing for a regular job at Syracuse. With Marerro and whatever mattress stuffing they have signed to play the OF up there. I think he's won a spot in the regular lineup, at one position or another. And probably a ticket to DC if Werth or LaRoche gets injured or Moore struggles. Owings' value on the major league roster is only as a RH bat or a backup 1B. If they need a LH bat they'll call up Brown.
I don't see Marerro as a likely call-up because (A) I have grave doubts he'll ever be a major league hitter; (B) the same "rationale" exists for leaving him at Syracuse as is claimed for sending Moore down -- if he's ever going to be helpful to the major league club, he needs to bat every day.
All of the foregoing is subject to Owings continuing to beat the stuffing out of the ball once he gets to Syracuse.
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