
Maybe it's a cruel fact for Chien-Ming Wang that he has the misfortune of struggling in one of the best rotations in the major leagues. Maybe it's by contrast that Wang, the most veteran of the staff and its second-highest-paid member, has his issues magnified because of the four who come before him.

Chien-Ming Wang stood on the bullpen mound at Nationals Park on Wednesday afternoon, going through his methodical motion under the supervision of Washington Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty.

Early Friday morning, Chien-Ming Wang stood in the training room at the Washington Nationals' complex with several sets of eyes examining the strained left hamstring that forced him from Thursday afternoon's game.

Chien-Ming Wang's voice was soft, his face composed. The only sparkle came from the silver necklace dangling from his neck.

The storm had passed, so Chien-Ming Wang waited near a bog of mud and gravel that doubled as the right-field line.