Balester on the way

All of you who are wondering when prized right-hander Collin Balester will make his major-league debut can end the vigil: The Nationals announced after Saturday's game they expect to call Balester up to pitch on Tuesday at Florida. Manager Manny Acta had said earlier in the week that the Nationals wouldn't likely bring Balester up until he could stay for an extended period of time. But with Nick Johnson going off the 40-man roster--the move became easier, and Washington decided this weekend to call up Balester instead of Tyler Clippard or Garrett Mock. This might also mean that the club expects Hill's absence to be a long one, since they didn't want to bring up Balester for one or two starts.