Washington Nationals right-hander Shawn Hill will make a rehab start for Class AAA Columbus on Sunday, so his 2008 major league debut won’t come until at least next Friday at Florida.
Hill threw five shutout innings at Class A Potomac on Tuesday night, but manager Manny Acta said he wanted Hill to get another start against better competition and increase his pitch count.
“Before last night, he pitched in our controlled environment [in simulated games]. Last night was a real game, and he didn’t even see a left-hander,” Acta said. “He was overmatching those kids, and he was behind in the count last night.”
After missing all of spring training with forearm soreness, Hill said he felt fine in his rehab start. His fastball was consistently in the low 90s, and he recorded nine ground ball outs in five innings.
“I felt like my fastball was all right. It was kind of the hard, late one,” Hill said. “But it wasn’t Chipper [Jones], [Mark] Teixeira, all those guys.”
He said he hasn’t been told where he will pitch after Sunday, which had been originally targeted for his first big league start. But the delay will give the Nationals extra time to decide which starter they would option to Columbus upon Hill’s return. Matt Chico will pitch tomorrow against the Atlanta Braves, and John Lannan will follow him Saturday.
Chico likely would get another start next Thursday against the Mets, and Lannan would pitch Friday against the Marlins if Hill isn’t ready.
The two battled for the team’s last starting spot at the end of spring training, with Chico getting the nod despite Lannan’s series of strong starts. But the 23-year-old Lannan pitched well in a 3-0 loss at St. Louis on Sunday and could make a case to stay in the rotation with another good outing this weekend.
Jason Bergmann was hit hard for the second straight outing in last night”s 10-4 loss to the Marlins. Since the right-hander also has minor-league options left, he could be in the mix to go to the minors.
No return soon
A day after they decided to put first baseman Dmitri Young on the 15-day disabled list with a sore lower back, the Nationals reiterated there is no schedule for Young’s return.
Acta said Young likely would make a rehab stint but added his first priority is for the 34-year-old to clear up the pain that has limited his effectiveness since spring training.
“He’ll probably have to get some at-bats,” Acta said. “First, we’ve got to get him healthy and feeling good about his back.”
Injury updates
Chad Cordero pitched the ninth inning of Class A Potomac”s 4-3 win over Myrtle Beach last night, giving up one hit and striking out one while earning the win. He could come off the disabled list by the weekend if his shoulder tendinitis doesn”t flare up.
Left fielder Wily Mo Pena played five innings in an extended spring training game yesterday, going 2-for-4 with a double. He will start at designated hitter today.
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