Just got back up to the press box following an informal, 7-minute session with John Patterson. I'll type out some full quotes as soon as I get a chance, but here's the gist of it...

Patterson said he was informed this afternoon that he was being released. The reason: "I don't think I was progressing as fast as they wanted me to progress. They didn't see what they wanted to see."

The reason for the timing of the move: Patterson, as it turns out, had a nonguaranteed contract. By releasing him now, the Nats don't have to pay him his $850,000 salary.

John doesn't know what he's going to do yet. He hadn't even talked to his family or his agent. But he still believes he can pitch for someone this year. He would not take any parting shots at the Nats, though.

"I have no hard feelings to this organization," Patterson said. "I have great memories of Washington, D.C., and this organization. ... Jim stood by me as long as he could."

Jim Bowden walking into the press box now. I'll update with his remarks.