VIERA, Fla. — Collin Balester, Tyler Clippard and Garrett Mock, all outside candidates to make the starting rotation at the start of the regular season, are headed to the minors, perhaps the most significant development of the Nationals’ 18 spring roster cuts yesterday.
That presumably leaves seven pitchers — Shawn Hill, John Patterson, Tim Redding, Jason Bergmann, Odalis Perez, Matt Chico and John Lannan — fighting for five spots in the Nationals’ rotation.
If Hill’s arm troubles continue, that could leave Chico and Lannan in a battle to be the fifth starter.
None of the moves came as a major surprise to the three young pitchers, who all felt they had made positive impressions in spring training that could lead to in-season call-ups.
“Last year when I was with the Yankees, there were like 10 starters called up within the first two months,” Clippard said. “I just want to pitch well, and if I do that, everything else will take care of itself.”
The players reassigned to minor league camp were: Balester; pitchers Rob Bell, Eude Brito, Bobby Brownlie, Adam Carr, Brian Sanches, Jason Stanford and Dennis Tankersley; shortstop Ian Desmond; outfielder Jason Dubois; catcher Javier Herrera; first baseman Luis Jimenez; and infielder Ed Rogers.
The team also optioned Clippard, Mock and first baseman Josh Whitesall to Class AAA Columbus; outfielders Rogearvin Bernadina and Justin Maxwell to Class AA Harrisburg; and pitcher Ross Detwiler to Class A Potomac. Washington unconditionally released veteran catcher Chad Moeller.
Catchers healing
The Nationals’ catching situation is still far from resolved, but Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada at least are on the mend.
Estrada is starting to play catch, while Lo Duca has caught two side throwing sessions and took full batting practice for the first time yesterday. They’re not major steps, but they are signs the Nationals’ two veteran catchers could be ready to play in the near future.
Estrada received a cortisone shot in his right elbow Thursday, while Lo Duca is still recovering from knee surgery.
Lo Duca said he already has lost five pounds in camp and sounded optimistic he’s ready to catch most of the regular season.
“I’d catch 140 [games] if I have to,” he said. “I’m ready to go.”
Lannan struggles
Lannan’s spring, impressive to this point, took a turn south yesterday. He gave up three runs — two on solo home runs — and surrendered five hits in 32/3 innings against the Tigers.
The 24-year-old had trouble staying ahead in the count, falling behind 3-1 against the game’s first two hitters. Both of his homers came while he was trailing.
He surrendered a leadoff homer to Ivan Rodriguez to start the game, giving up another run on a Miguel Cabrera single and allowing a homer to Cabrera on a 1-0 pitch in the third inning.
“I was trying to be too fine with the ball,” Lannan said. “I’ve got to get more aggressive.”
Lannan had thrown five shutout innings in two appearances before yesterday, making him a dark horse to be in the Nationals’ rotation. While the loss to the Tigers didn’t necessarily eliminate that possibility, he will face competition from veterans Perez and Redding.
“I don’t think about [where I’ll start the season],” he said. “I know what I have to do.”
Young close
First baseman Dmitri Young went 2-for-2 in yesterday’s accelerated minor league game. Manager Manny Acta said Young might see action in Thursday night’s game against the Marlins at Space Coast Stadium.
Young hasn’t played in a major league game during spring training because of a pulled muscle in his left side. Not that it has sapped any of his confidence.
“All I need is four or five days to get ready [for Opening Night],” he said.
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