Hill might miss beginning of the season

Nats righty Shawn Hill might miss the beginning of the '09 season, feeling pain in his right arm during a bullpen session, before his scheduled start against the Tigers today. He was a late scratch, and Gustavo Chacin got the call. Hill, who pitched one inning Friday against the Astros, started to feel pain Sunday when he threw a bullpen session, but he didn't inform the team until the last minute. Hill wanted to pitch against the Tigers, but the Nats know what has happened in the past when they have been even the slightest risky when it comes to Hill. "Shawn was willing to throw, but we decided to send him over to see Dr. Andrews, who will give us an indication on what to do from now on," Manny said. "The good thing about it is it's early in camp. We still have four weeks to go. If it's not serious, Shawn will be ready to go for us." Even though Acta believes that Hill will be ready before April sixth, I wouldn't that surprised if he's gone for the year. "Obviously, I feel bad for the kid (37 games played in the last four years), because he has gone through it for a while now. Hopefully, he will come back with good news from Dr. Andrews," Acta said.

Even if he is healthy, Hill is not a candidate to make the rotation. Hill who has never been in the bullpen (37 G, 37 GS), I have always thought that he would be a good closer with his nasty slider, and possibly make a Kerry Wood-type transition. Manny also said if Hanrahan can't handle the closer's role or gets traded (good thing Bowden's not GM), they might look to Hill.

So far, the Nats are 3-4 in preseason play. The first game was an exhibition against Italy, in which they won a thriller, 9-6. I thought it wouldn't even be close, Italy only has a few players on its roster that are in the big leagues. Before the game, Elijah Dukes saw Roger Bernadina taking batting practice. Dukes noticed that outfielder Roger Bernadina was gripping the bat too tight and his elbows were too close to his body. Dukes wanted Bernadina to keep his hands back. The way Bernadina was holding the bat in the past had given him trouble hitting inside pitches. Then lator Dukes and Bernadina were in the starting lineup against Italy. In the game, Dukes had a 2-run triple, and a crushed solo homer to left. With two on and two outs in the ninth inning, the game tied at six, Bernadina, keeping his hands back, crushed a walk-off 3 run bomb. Bernadina went 3-5 in the game.

The nats then beat the Mets, 6-4. The nats had a couple of three run innings, and Johnson hit his second of the spring. The highlight of the day was Jordan Zimmermannnnnnnn, who threw three scoreless innings, and he has yet to give up a baserunner. Batters against him are 0-15 with 6 strikeouts and no walks. What happened to Bally-Star??? (3 innings, 5 hits, 4 runs, BB)

The nats also lost that game against the Tigers, 10-2. Both Washington runs came in a three-batter stretch during the second inning, capped by a two-run single by Anderson Hernandez which scored Javier Valentin and Joel Guzman. Valentin and Elijah Dukes both had a hit and a walk.None of the people who pitched are going to make the 25-man roster anyway, except for Terrel Young who pitched a scoreless inning and has a ERA of 1.80.

The Nats will play the Orioles tomorrow, and Daniel Cabrera will start against his former club, at Camden Yards. The game will be televised on MASN, where new vision analyst Rob Dibble will make his Nats debut, I think... I'm not sure if the regular Nats-O's announcers will be broadcasting it.

There is no news on who the new GM will be, although Stan Kasten said that the Nats would be in good hands with Mike Rizzo, who will take over most of the GM job until a replacement is found. Getting rid of Bowden looks like Cordero will consider going back to Washington. Cordero was upset that Bowden announced last May that he would be non-tendered. Such an announcement is not made until the offseason. Cordero vowed not to come back to Washington if Bowden was the GM.

Last year at around this time I made a prediction of what the Nat's record would be. last year I said it was going to be 86-76, but I also said if all of their key players stay healthy. This year I think the nats are going to be 83-79, third/fourth in NL East.

Bowden resigns from GM

Nats Gene-- FORMER general manager Jim Bowden resigned today, after 5 seasons of messing up with the Nats, highlighted by signings of Felipe Lopez, Austin Kearns, Johnny Estrada, Paul LoDuca, Wily Mo Pena, Daniel Cabrera, Corey Patterson, and Jason Simontacci. Also by the non-signings of Torri Hunter, Aaron Rowand, Orlando Hudson, Aaron Crow, and Mark Texeiria. Bowden was a terrible GM, mostly by relying a little too much on the Nat's farm system and young players. I like the idea of having young and promising players, but Bowden took it way too far, and decided to not get any proven player who has done it in the big leagues, like Milledge, Nieves, Alberto Gonzalez. And he uses this as a excuse in the press conferences. "Listen, we're young, so just shut up, go away, and let these un-established players build our championship club. Bye."

Bowden's statement included: "I am today resigning my position as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Washington Nationals. It is an emotional decision that saddens me, but one that I feel is in the best interests of two of the things I love most - baseball and the Washington Nationals." also: "At the same time, while I have done nothing wrong, I place a greater value on the love, respect, and best interests of my family, friends, the game of baseball -- that I've served lovingly and faithfully for close to 25 years -- and, the reputation and future of the Washington Nationals, which I'm proud to have been a part of since its inception in 2004." and lastly: "Like anyone else, I have made mistakes in all areas of my personal and professional life, but I leave here with the true belief that I have done nothing intentionally to harm the Washington Nationals or Major League Baseball. The team, the fans and media can now turn all of their attention from the distractions off-the-field to where it belongs, on the baseball field for the Washington Nationals and their upcoming 2009 championship season." Even though it is tough to resign from GM and probably not have a job again, at least you could tell the truth. He said he did nothing wrong as GM, he has to realize that Felipe Lopez wasn't that good, and Austin Kearns didn't hit .280 with 80 RBI's and 25 homers. He also said: "for the Washington Nationals and their upcoming 2009 championship season." I like how he's being optimistic, but championship season?

The Nats are not sure who will be the new GM, but Mike Rizzo, the former vice GM will be a candidate. Even though Rizzo will be better than Bowden was, I would like to get a former player who has GM/Manager experience rather than Rizzo. That's why I didn't like the equations of Bullpen coach Randy Knorr (I would have kept Rick Aponte) or hitting coach Rick Eckstein (Although it looks like he has proven himself, so far). Team president Stan Kasten, who will serve as General Manager until a replacement is found, said the team would have made its decision for new GM soon..

Adam Dunn has finally made his decision, he will play in the World Baseball Classic for team USA. I would like to see him hit in a Nat's uniform and get to know his teammates and coaches, but that gives Nick Johnson a chance to start at first base while there is an outfield of Willingham in left, Milledge in center, and Dukes in right, and see who plays the best. If all of the above stay, either Johnson, Milledge (probably not), or Willingham will be a backup, Nick Johnson the most likely.

Joel Hanrahan also said he will play in the World Baseball Classic, for team USA. He said he was considering it for a long time. He will join the team in Clearwater, Fla., and work out on Tuesday. Rick Eckstein recommended to USA that Hanrahan sould be on the team. A spot on the roster opened up when Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan pulled himself out due to concerns about the current state of his mechanics. "When Manny and St. Claire gave me the approval, I decided to do it," Hanrahan said. "I only have a year in the big leagues. I still have some work to do. I'm trying to develop my changeup this year. There is still work to do to get ready for the season. You are still committed to the Nationals -- you have to be 100 percent for them when April 6 comes around." Last year, he was 6-3 with a 3.95 ERA and nine saves.

The nats have started the season 2-3 in Spring Training play. The starters have looked really good so far, the bullpen has looked really shaky, and it looks like hitting from back when, well... 2008. The nats have averaged just 2.8 runs a game, in the last two losing to the Cardinals 2-9 and Orioles 7-5. In the Card's game, the Nats just had only four hits, and Daniel Cabrera made his Nats debut, going two innings and gave up two runs (one earned), while walking none and striking out none. Ross Detwiler had his first outing of the spring, and it was the worst I have ever seen, walking 4 and giving up a hit, so in total giving up 3 runs and retiring none. Justin Maxwell was the player of the game for the nats, going 1-2 with two walks, and robbing Chris Duncan of a grand slam, leaping over the wall. (above)

The nats finally got their first home run of the spring, Nick Johnson solo shot in their 7-5 loss to the O's. Scott Olsen made his Nats debut, throwing two scoreless innings, while walking none and striking out two, but then comes the bullpen. Tyler Clippard throws an inning, giving up 3 runs. Also Garret Mock (ERA: 13.50) threw an inning, giving up two. The nats have an off day, and then on Tuesday play the Italian World Baseball Classic team, John Lannan will start.