Cordero gets leave to visit ill grandma

MILWAUKEE — The Washington Nationals placed Chad Cordero on baseball’s bereavement list yesterday, giving the 25-year-old closer an opportunity to fly to Southern California and see his grandmother, who is dying of brain cancer.

The condition of Josie Cordero, 76, has been deteriorating for the last few weeks, and it clearly affected Chad Cordero. He admitted he wasn’t entirely focused during Sunday’s game in Chicago, when he blew his fourth save in eight chances, and on Monday he asked manager Manny Acta whether he could have a couple of days off to regroup.

The club decided to place him on the bereavement list, which allows a player to miss anywhere from three to seven days and promote a minor leaguer to take his place. Right-hander Winston Abreu, who had a 0.50 ERA in 10 games with Class AAA Columbus, had his contract purchased and was available to pitch last night against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Acta said he expects Cordero to miss a full week and rejoin the club Monday in Washington. He felt the move was appropriate given his closer’s mental state.

“You put two and two together, and it’s not a tough decision to make,” the manager said.

Acta said right-hander Jon Rauch will take over closing duties as long as Cordero is away. The 28-year-old setup man recorded the only two saves of his career last season and said he’s up to the challenge.

“It’s pitching,” he said. “It’s still my job to go out there and get outs. Regardless of what inning it is, it’s still the same job.”

Wagner to DL

The Nationals lost another member of their bullpen yesterday for what could be an extended period of time. Right-hander Ryan Wagner was placed on the 15-day disabled list with rotator cuff inflammation in his throwing shoulder, retroactive to Monday.

Wagner, 0-2 with a 5.74 ERA in 14 appearances, acknowledged he had been pitching in pain for more than a week before informing club officials.

“I was just trying to play hero and battle through it,” he said. “Sometimes that works. But probably more times than others it’s not what you should do.”

This isn’t the first time Wagner has dealt with this type of injury. He missed more than half of the 2005 season with the Cincinnati Reds with a similar ailment, and he described the pain he’s currently in as “worse.”

Wagner will have an MRI tomorrow in the District, after which team doctors will determine the extent of the injury.

“We hope it’s not anything worse,” he said. “Could it be? Maybe. But you hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”

Roster reshuffling

Story Continues →