Ayala traded to Mets

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By Mark Zuckerman

Luis Ayala's poor season with the Washington Nationals ended Sunday when the veteran reliever found out he had been traded to the New York Mets for infielder Anderson Hernandez.

As he packed his bags and prepared to join his new teammates, Ayala couldn't help but think back to the far better days he enjoyed during his first five years with the Nationals franchise, a stint that made him the longest-tenured player in the clubhouse.

"I remember my first game with the Expos," the 30-year-old right-hander said. "I remember my first game with the Nationals, too. So it's very tough. I played with a lot of great players, and in a few years I think they're going to be a great team."

Ayala appeared emotional as he spoke, but he also acknowledged he requested a trade earlier this summer once he lost his role as manager Manny Acta's primary setup man. Acta, though, had no choice but to bump the ineffective reliever after he went 1-8 with a 5.77 ERA.

The reasons for Ayala's swift decline - he had never posted an ERA above 3.19 before this season - were mysterious. Ayala insisted his arm felt fine, and his fastball regularly reached the mid 90s. He mentioned the mental toll that several off-field developments took on him, including a divorce, and said he simply lost focus and confidence.

"When you don't have the focus on your job, you can't do a good job, you know?" Ayala said. "It's not like an excuse, but if you don't feel comfortable, something happens to where you can't do your job. I tried to do my best."

Ayala will have an opportunity to turn himself around with the Mets, while the Nationals get another young infielder in exchange. Though the acquisition of Hernandez won't be complete until he passes through waivers Wednesday, Washington knows it has added to its infield depth.

"As you all know, we've had a lot of injuries there," general manager Jim Bowden said. "We're struggling with all our shortstops. He can really pick it up and throw. He's a good defensive player."

Estrada set to debut

The Nationals will fill Ayala's spot in the bullpen with Marco Estrada, a 25-year-old right-hander who likely will make his major league debut this week in Philadelphia.

Estrada, the organization's sixth-round pick in the 2005 draft, has enjoyed a breakthrough season and was a combined 9-6 with a 3.09 ERA with Class AA Harrisburg and Class AAA Columbus.

Though he has been a starter throughout his minor league career, Estrada will pitch in relief for Washington.

Flores banged up

Catcher Jesus Flores was out of the lineup Sunday, still feeling the effects of a hard slide at the plate during Saturday night's game.

Flores was diagnosed with a strained right calf, and an MRI came back negative. He hopes to be back in the lineup Tuesday.

The rigors of catching every day in the big leagues for the first time have taken their toll on Flores, 23, but he knows it's all part of the learning experience.

"I know up here you want to play over 100 percent," he said. "It's not getting tired, but you feel your body out of energy sometimes."