Washington Nationals: Matt Belisle to begin rehab assignment, could rejoin ‘pen soon
By Pablo Roa
Today’s District Daily includes an update on injured Washington Nationals reliever Matt Belisle and more on Max Scherzer’s recent success on the mound.
Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes discusses the injury status of Nationals right-hander Matt Belisle. As Janes writes in her article, Belisle is quickly working his way back from a calf strain he suffered in late-April and will begin a rehab stint with Class A Potomac on Monday.
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While Belisle isn’t quite ready to rejoin the bullpen, he doesn’t expect to spend too much time on the rehab assignment. And as Janes notes, he’ll be making a strong bullpen even better once he’s ready to return.
Also in today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Jamal Collier discusses Max Scherzer’s recent success on the mound. As Collier writes, Scherzer struggled early in the season. In his last few starts, however, the right-hander appears to have rounded into midseason form.
Scherzer has turned in several dominant performances, with the most impressive, of course, being his 20-strikeout, complete game gem earlier this month. While he’s still struggling to keep the ball in the park, he’s been looking more like the perennial Cy Young contender that the Nationals expect him to be. Hopefully for the team, Scherzer can stay hot on the mound throughout the summer and down the stretch.
Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Nationals bullpen, recently steady, may be getting reinforcement soon
(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)
MIAMI — Reliever Matt Belisle, healthy after the calf strain he suffered in late April, did not want to go on a minor league rehab assignment. He lobbied with Nationals Manager Dusty Baker not to do so, thinking he could just throw a few simulated games and be ready to go. His, er, pitch was unsuccessful, so he will join Class A Potomac Monday.
“I know myself, I’ve done it before so I believe in [a few sim games and return],” Belisle said. “But the point is just to be ready when they say I’m ready.”
He is eager, not disgruntled, because the normally jovial Belisle is not really the disgruntled type. But the fact that he was able to continue throwing while he rested, then rehabbed his right calf, means he does not think he needs much time. Read full article here.
Scherzer rounding into midseason form
MIAMI — After another dominant outing to lead the Nationals to an 8-2 victory Sunday afternoon over the Marlins at Marlins Park, Max Scherzer appears to be settling into a groove. He struck out eight in eight innings and made one mistake, which Justin Boursmashed for a two-run homer.
In his last three starts, Scherzer has allowed six runs in 23 1/3 innings, with 38 strikeouts and three walks.
Next: Nationals: Max Scherzer’s Strong Outing Leads To Win Over Marlins
“I’m just kind of getting in midseason form,” Scherzer said. “That’s what you’re always striving for. You’d love to have it when you get out of spring, but sometimes it takes a few starts. I’ve made some mistakes over the course of this year so far, but every start I just keep getting a little bit sharper.” Read full article here.