VIERA, Fla. -- The Nationals made a pair of roster moves this afternoon, placing right-hander Christian Garcia on the 15-day disabled list with a strained forearm tendon and outrighting infielder Carlos Rivero to Class AAA Syracuse.
The Garcia DL move was anticipated because the right-hander had yet to appear in a Grapefruit League after injuring himself during early camp workouts, but the Rivero move did come as a bit of a surprise because it means the utilityman cleared waivers and was not claimed by another club.Because he's out of options, Rivero was required to pass through waivers before being sent to the minor leagues. The Nationals talked up the utilityman this spring, and the sense was that another team would claim him if exposed. Instead, the Nationals get to keep Rivero in their system while also removing him from the 40-man roster.
Garcia had hopes of making the Opening Day roster out of the bullpen, or perhaps going to Syracuse to be a starter and potentially be called upon in Washington later in the season. But the right-hander experienced forearm pain following an early-camp bullpen session and never made it into an exhibition game.
The Nationals are hopeful Garcia can recover with rest -- he's already overcome two Tommy John surgeries in his career -- but he'll remain in Viera when the season opens and continue his rehab at extended spring training. The DL move is retroactive to March 22, the earliest such a transaction can be backdated.
Today's moves leave the Nationals with 31 players in big-league camp and 38 players on their 40-man roster with one week remaining until Opening Day.
48 comments:
Awesome news that we didn't lose Rivero (and still free up the 40-man roster spot).
2 roster spots open? Rizzo again looking like the canny GM ... he'll horde those as long as possible in case they need to make a move during the season.
Rivero will be useful in the event of a chicken pox outbreak in DC this summer. I didn't realize what a clunker he was with the glove until this Spring. Not even a "project," I think. Might be a sweetener in some future deal with an infield-challenged team like Detroit.
Kobernus is a clunker with a glove ... and Zach Walters was as well not too long ago. Rivero is younger than players like Matt Skole and Justin Bloxom (NOW HE really does have a clunker of a glove and the lack of range to go with it!) The need reps and coaching but at least Rivero, Walters, and Kobernus are pretty athletic. That can't be said for Marerro or Bloxom for example. Sheesh!
Rivero is flat out awful wherever they put him with his glove. I'm in agreement, Theophilus, there's nowhere to hide him.
Rivero is flat out awful wherever they put him with his glove. I'm in agreement, Theophilus, there's nowhere to hide him.
Either way he is a UTL because you have to figure Rendon won't last long in AA. If Rendon starts out raking and demolishing the EL he is going to get promoted to Syracuse to challenge him.
And then Rivero either replaces him or becomes a backup. Perhaps that depends on where Skole is at. BUT, there's Jason Martinson and A. Rendon's former teammate at Rice Ricky Hague to consider!
I don't see Martinson at shortstop in AA. But you never know. After Walters they really don't have much backup at that position right now. Unless the plan is to use Rendon there if necessary.
Well, we get to keep Rivero in case we catch lightning in a bottle with him. Always can toss him aside later if we need to.
Garcia is having so many injuries with his right arm, maybe he should try to learn to pitch left-handed.
I always thought Garcia was a longshot to make the roster. Now he'll heal, and when he's 100% they can see if he can be turned into a starter, with a September callup as a possibility.
Nice to replenish our farm system. Can someone who knows clarify -- do these two become eligible for next year's Rule 5 draft, or are they out of danger for some length of time? Don't see them making the 40 man any time soon.
do these two become eligible for next year's Rule 5 draft, or are they out of danger for some length of time? Don't see them making the 40 man any time soon.
They each get a year older and everyone will be looking at next year's crop. I think they could get drafted again but it becomes less-and-less likely given each new year's new, younger crop.
Is there a link yet to the video for the Nats song?
Fun game to watch today. Espinosa is really staying within himself with the shorter swing and going after the first strike he sees. If he can keep it up the results should be a large improvement to his BA and cut down on those K's.
JZim looked excellent most of the game. I would have liked to see him come inside with the fastball a little more. Zuk had him throwing outside a lot.
Ryan Z is still burying throws in the dirt and the Nats are lucky that LaRoche just keeps scooping those throws.
Ghost, agree that Ryan's throw looked uncomfortably similar to last year's awkwardness - another occasion where he had too much time to think about it and buried it... thankfully Adam picked it, but discouraging nonetheless.
Come on, guys- he started throwing in games like a week ago after having shoulder surgery. I think the glass is at least half full.
Come on, guys- he started throwing in games like a week ago after having shoulder surgery. I think the glass is at least half full.
And Rendon should be allowed to get some minor league time in.
baseballswami, the glass is half full because LaRoche is at 1st base. If Ryan improves his throws it is a bonus as it won't be worse than last year, right?
If Danny stays true to his swing then there is no room, barring injury, for Rendon. We will be having this same conversation next spring.
I fear with his injury history we have seen the best of Garcia. Not the type of player you will ever be able to count on but have to admire his courage.
If Danny stays true to his swing then there is no room, barring injury, for Rendon. We will be having this same conversation next spring.
Again, He's not going to be playing second base. That is why Adam LaRoche has a 2 year contract. THAT is why they moved Tyler Moore to the outfield almost permanently. A move that certainly *IS* a defensive risk. Mr. Rendon will be the starting third baseman like it or not. And that is a fact.
Peric it's an opinion, yours. I respect that but the only place it is a fact is in your mind.
Seven days, baby. That's a fact.
I'm glad I missed Zim's throw. It would definitely have bummed me out after all we've heard about how he's fixed. Blech!
As for Kobernus and Rosenbaum, can someone who knows and understands the rule say whether is peric right that they are again eligible next year? Because while it's true that they will be a year older and people will be looking at next year's crop, they also might be a year closer to major league ready, which would mean we'd be more likely to lose them.
Section 222, be at peace: before any player is eligible for the Rule 5 draft the Nats would have an opportunity to place them on the 40 man roster.
Zim bounces a throw and the howls for Rendon start up again.
John C. - continuing to be a voice of calm and a voice of reason as we inch closer and closer to April 1st.
People do realize that we have 2 spaces empty in our 40 man roster at this time right? Rizzo has the pieces he wants at this time and the flexibility to add/subtract as the season goes on.
He has also been able to gamble with the two rule 5 guys (and Rivero) and now has even better depth in his minor league board. I realize this isn't where you come to get minor league news but Drew and Peric do keep us up to date which along with Nationals Prospects helps me a great deal.
It is so pleasing to see Espinosa actually hitting the ball instead of striking out. His BA will skyrocket. No chance of anything happening with the way he struck out last season. Keep it up Espi!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/wp/2013/03/24/jordan-zimmermanns-hot-streak-bryce-harpers-thumb-danny-espinosas-big-day-etc/
Njack and all those who caught or coached...check out the picture in the post linked above.
Jordan Z's new pitch.....change up.....is really easy to see from the batter box as he goes into his motion. I have not seen it from this angle in live motion but those who have................is he in danger of tipping it and getting lit up. A change up when you know a change up is coming is not a great pitch.
NatsJack - While we're in a for-the-record kind of mood... Kobernus is not a "clunker with the glove" -- perhaps not a gold glover, but certainly adequate. But what do I know? I've only seen him (in person, at the ballpark) play 50 or 60 times.
Sec222 - Once a player becomes eligible for the Rule 5 draft, the only way he can be protected is to put him on the 40-man roster.
Rendon has a nice swing, no doubt. He also seems to have good discipline. But he got those numbers against AA and AAA pitchers mostly (OppQual = 8.4 where 10 = Major League). And even the major league pitchers were probably "working on stuff" or had not seen him before. He posted .162/.305/.368 in his month at Harrisburg. (21 games, 82 PAs).
Yes, he had a nice stretch at the Arizona Fall League, but you have to be careful basing your evaluation on AFL, it doesn't really duplicate an actual "season" on a real team.
His fielding--even at 3B, his "natural" position--is not ready for prime time, from what I observed in spring training.
Computer frustration continues--after carefully NOT turning off my desktop for days, it turned itself off and now won't restart.
Microsoft sent me software to fix it, but they sent it from Puerto Rico. FedEx, like the WBC, considers Puerto Rico "international," so even though the building manager signed for the package, FedEx took it back for "security" reasons.
So, probably won't be posting on my blog today or tomorrow... (sniff!).
Ghost, the video of the Nats Insiders singing won't be available for a few days. NCNatsie said he will edit it before he posts it.
I'd give NCNatsie a little more than a few days for the video editing. The videographer took B-roll and everything!
Thanks natsprospects for the info. I understand that you can always put people on the 40 man to protect them from Rule 5. The question is whether we'll have room. But I guess if they've improved enough to have value, Rizzo will find a spot for them.
After hitting so well in AFL and this spring, I don't think Rendon's first 21 games in AA mean much anymore to his prospects for success in the big leagues. He's obviously developing and learning quickly. They are working him at all three infield positions to make sure that when a spot opens up, for whatever reason, he's able to fill it for at least some of the time. I don't expect a callup until September, but people do get injured. If any of our three infielders (other than ALR) go down for a significant stretch, I'd rather have Rendon get some of that playing time than Lombo or Tracy.
Peric, you ARE correct. Rendon will play third, Zimmerman will play first, and we will have Young, this year, in AAA. Yes, this IS all fact.
About RZim-- he had shoulder surgery , played all last year, maybe longer, on a shoulder that just did not work the way it was supposed to. He still helped us win 98 and go to the post- season. He has now been on the field , at his position, for a few games. Now the howling because he is not really back. How many throws has he made in games? It does not happen overnight. I think with each throw, things will get better, but some throws are going to be awful still. I suspect it will be a gradual process over the season. I know that we want instant gold glove, but is that feasible right now?
BTW, in the pictures, I believe the first one is Garcia, and the second--with the little beard--is Rivero?
One more thing about RZim-- a lesser strength Zim is still better than most other players.
Njack...did you look at the picture? Sure he is getting swings and misses in spring training...it clearly is a great pitch...and a new one for him to use this much.....but with MLB hitters and advance scouting and video kicking in during the MLB season....if I can see it before it is thrown so can the Upton's right?
My comments to you Njack are to ask if coaching staff is working on hiding the ball more. He has it hanging out there to the side in clear view.
It's a valid concern JayB - and if the coaches or JZ become aware that he's tipping it I guarantee they'll try to correct it, regardless of whether he's getting lit up with it or not.
Swami, not sure if I'm the one being accused of "howling" regarding Ryan's throw, all I said was that the double-clutch and awkwardness of the throw was discouraging, and I'd have said that if he hit ALR right in the chest with it. It goes to 222's speculation that it's his head, not his shoulder... but just for the record, I'll take a healthy Zimm over there with the yips all year long, thank you very much.
Oh thats right if Njack is not concerned that their is no problem....just like if Hoffman a closer can through change up to 3 hitters in the 9th then J Zim should be fine to 20 hitters over 7 innings......dope.
kind of like if Njack and Rizzo have no concerns about Nats training staff and medical procedures then there is no problem........until Jason W points it out that is......just a bit arrogant and no matter what the facts say.
Clearly JayB should be a hitting coach if he can look at a still photo of a pitcher and tell from that when he's going to come with the heat and when he's going to change up. What would JayB tell his hitters? "Yell out to the pitcher. Tell him to hold that pose while you get a bead on it." Yeah, it's all so very simple, isn't it?
Mac you have not played it seems....hitters look for tips all the time. They often see grips established in the glove and at the top of the motion....this one is worse....it is at the back of the motion.
Nope I think it was pointed out years ago every blogger and fan who could read a DL report. Tit was ignored for 18 months to 24 months by Rizzo. It still goes on with Doc Doggie and his miss read MRI's from Sept.
There's only one person in the world with a better read on the Nats medical situation than JayB. That's Rob Dibble.
For the record, I am totally with JayB on the med staff issue. I'm sure I could find quotes from Rizzo and posts from folks here arguing there was nothing to worry about long before Werth's squeaky wheel forced some changes. Don't make me go to the videotape.
Also for the record, I didn't see it as the "voice of gloom" at all to highlight the picture of JZnn and ask those who had coached or caught what they thought. Isn't the ability to share information with and get feedback from lots of knowledgable fans one of the great things about this blog?
Also, I'm not howling about Zim. Just worried.
If only Jordan would stop tipping his pitches he might be able to go more than 27 outs in a row before giving up a hit.
It's not an unreasonable point. The average major league hitter has something like 20-12 vision, and the good ones are skilled at picking up clues that would be too subtle for most other players, let alone normal people. So yeah, hitters don't get the advantage of looking at a still photo, taken from a favorable angle outside the batters box, but if that circle change is showing, somebody is going to notice. Most of the time, it won't help them, but the effect is cumulative. The more they are exposed to it, the better the hitters' chances get.
I still have Znn in the "First No-Hitter" pool.
Sort of related, but interesting, from last spring:
Baseball vision: When 20-20 eyesight just wont cut it
At that point in a pitcher's delivery it's kind of hard to hide the grip. How does JayB know from that one still photo that Jordan was showing changeup before that?
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