Washington Nationals News: Nats call up A. J. Cole, option Brian Goodwin
Today’s District Daily has more on the Washington Nationals calling up right-hander A.J. Cole and the ongoing struggles of Stephen Strasburg.
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.
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In today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes discusses the Nationals’ latest roster moves. As Janes writes, the Nationals called up right-hander A.J. Cole today to bolster their taxed bullpen.In a corresponding move, the team sent outfielder Brian Goodwin back to Triple-A Syracuse.
Cole, a starter by trade, will likely serve as a long man in the ‘pen. As for how long he’ll stay with the big league club, that’s not entirely clear. As Janes writes, Ryan Zimmerman and Jose Lobaton will soon be ready to come off the disabled list, and the Nationals will have to clear up roster spots to make room for both players. Rosters expand Sept 1, but the team will likely have to make some tough decisions between now and then.
For now, however, Cole gives the Nationals a much-needed fresh arm in the ‘pen.
Here’s what manager Dusty Baker said about Cole and what role he might play in the Nationals’ bullpen:
“His reports have been good,” Baker said. “I just saw him in spring training for the first time. I told him he’s probably our long man tonight. Hopefully don’t need him, but after that it’s middle and short. So I just wanted to know how long it was gonna take for him to warm up. He said he has relieved before, but not this year.” (Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)
Also in today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Jamal Collier writes about Stephen Strasburg’s mindset as the right-hander struggles through his worst stretch of the season.
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.
A.J. Cole recalled to bolster tired Nationals bullpen; Brian Goodwin optioned to Syracuse
(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)
ATLANTA — In desperate need of support for an exhausted bullpen, the Washington Nationals recalled right-handed starter A.J. Cole from Syracuse before Thursday’s game. They optioned outfielder Brian Goodwin back to the Chiefs to clear space for Cole, which means they will carry eight relievers and a four-man bench for the series opener against the Braves.
Nationals Manager Dusty Baker said he does not expect to carry a short bench for long. Ryan Zimmerman and Jose Lobaton each played three rehab games with Class AAA Syracuse, from Monday through Wednesday, and are not playing Thursday. Baker said they are “on the way now” — both have lockers in the visitors’ clubhouse here — and there is a “good chance they’ll be activated tomorrow.” Read full article here.
Strasburg will ‘keep grinding’ through rough stretch
DENVER — Stephen Strasburg has been so dominant for much of the 2016 season that it would be unusual for him to struggle at all — especially the way he did in Wednesday afternoon’s 12-10 loss to the Rockies. He had perhaps the worst start of his career, allowing a career-high nine runs in 1 2/3 innings, his shortest outing of the season.
“Couldn’t get anybody out,” Strasburg said. “I don’t know. It felt pretty good coming out of the hand. Looking back on the tape, I feel like they hit some good pitches. Just didn’t have it today.” Read full article here.