From thunderstrucknatsfan:
Have you heard anything more about John Patterson's arm? I read he was to visit the team orthopedist and also have the MRI results read by a radiologist. We won't know the nature of the injury or how long he will be out until we have those results. Also, he said that he had a "bad cold" for the last month and was just now being treated for it. Isn't that a long time to let a "bad cold" go untreated? Is there something wrong with the Nats medical staff, or are the players reluctant to report problems for some reason?
Mark Zuckerman:
Just asked Manny Acta for a Patterson update this morning. John flew home to D.C. and had his elbow examined by team doctor Ben Shaffer. Shaffer agreed with the original MRI reading, saying there's no structural damage, just inflammation and perhaps some nerve problems (which is what Patterson had surgery to repair last summer). There will still be more tests, but for now, the plan is for Patterson to take a week off, then begin throwing again, with a possible return to the mound in early June. We'll see.

In-game update: Geoff Jenkins just belted a solo homer to center with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. Bernie Brewer goes down the slide in left field, and the Nats trail 1-0.

From Ian Knight:
The mental distraction of a sick relative could help to explain Chad Cordero's ineffectiveness this year, but it also looks like it might just be a trend that's been developing over the last few years. Are there any signs to suggest Cordero will recover his solid closer form as the year goes on?
Mark Zuckerman:
First off, it's hard not to feel for Cordero with everything he's going through right now. I've never lost a relative to brain cancer, but I can't imagine it's a pleasant experience. Clearly, it was affecting his performance the last week or so, and it made sense for him to leave the team temporarily. But you're right: Cordero hasn't pitched well all season, and indeed struggled at times last year. Couple possibilities: Teams have figured him out, and as we know, he doesn't have the greatest "stuff" out there. Also, Cordero's struggles could be in his head. Maybe he's over-thinking instead of just going after hitters. Whatever the case, it'll be interesting to see how he performs once he comes back next week.

From Robert in Springfield:
How much playing time will Tony Batista get?
Mark Zuckerman:
My guess is not much. Manny used him as a pinch-hitter late in last night's game (and he flied out on the first pitch he saw). He'll probably continue to use him in that role. Third base is Batista's natural position, but Ryan Zimmerman ain't going anywhere. He could also play some first base, but they've already got Dmitri Young (who should return Friday), Robert Fick and Kory Casto there.

In-game update: In a stunning development, the Nationals are being shut out through five innings. Two singles by Schneider and Fick in the second against Claudio Vargas. That's it. Bergmann doing his usual job keeping them in the game. One of these days, he'll be rewarded for his efforts with a win. Bottom of the fifth, still Brewers 1, Nats 0.

From Kenny in Reston:
As the losses mount and the possiblity of reaching 100 losses before September continues to be very real, what is the vibe in the Nationals' clubhouse? Are they a "the next day is a new day" bunch or are the long losing streaks making them quiet?
Mark Zuckerman:
I'd say it's kind of a combination of both. Postgame, the clubhouse is pretty dead. Guys just shuffle around from shower to locker, or sit at the table eating dinner without speaking. No one's enjoying all this losing. But come back the next day before the game, and they're all in great moods, very talkative and having fun with each other. A big group of guys was watching "Chappelle's Show" on DVD this morning and howling with laughter. So whatever happens the previous night, they don't seem to be taking it to the park the next day.

In-game update: With two outs in the fifth, Bergmann gets Vargas to ground one up the middle. Cristian Guzman makes a nice play to his left, turns to throw ... and bounces it low and wide of first base for an error. Shades of 2005, anyone?

From Bat Girl in Fairfax:
With Chad Cordero out on bereavement leave, what does that mean for the bullpen? Who will take over as the closer with him gone?
Mark Zuckerman:
Jon Rauch is taking over as closer while Cordero's gone. Of course, fans may never realize that if the Nats don't ever have a lead in the ninth inning.

From Kristin in Fairfax:
What exactly is bereavement leave? I've never heard of that before yesterday.
Mark Zuckerman:
Major League Baseball added the bereavement list a couple of years ago as a way to allow players to leave the team when a family member dies without leaving the club short-handed. If a player is placed on the list, he must miss at least three games and no more than seven. Another player can be called up from the minors to take his spot during that time. It was a great decision by baseball, because in the past, guys were reluctant to leave the team during tough times because they couldn't be replaced on the roster.

In-game update: Whoa! Felipe Lopez puts the Nats on the board with a towering homer to center. That's two in as many days for the leadoff man, who hadn't hit one previously since last August. Nats still batting in the top of the sixth, now tied, 1-1.

From Miss Chatter in Falls Church:
Woo! Lopez with a homerun two days in a row! Anyway, with Langerhans in left field today, two days after Logan returned to the team - is Logan possibly hurt or is Manny trying a platoon?
Mark Zuckerman:
Actually, Langerhans is in center field, but I'm sure that's what you meant. This will be something to watch as things play out. Logan isn't hurt, just getting a day off. The way Manny put it this morning, the situation changed when the Nats traded for Langerhans. Could that mean a platoon in center, with Langerhans starting against righties and Logan against lefties? Could be. Again, stay tuned.

From GoNats in Manassas:
If I voted for someone like Nick Johnson for the All-Star team, what happens if he wins?
Mark Zuckerman:
Ah, there's a dilemma for you. Nick Johnson is indeed on the ballot, even though he won't come off the DL until at least June and maybe later. But it's happened before: A player was voted as a starter and then got hurt sometime before the All-Star Game. Those guys usually still attend the game and are introduced on the field during player intros, but don't play and are replaced by someone else on the roster. So what do you think: Should we start a Nick Johnson ballot-stuffing campaign?

In-game update: Nats put two more guys on base following the Lopez homer, but Kearns fouls out and Schneider flies out to the warning track in center. End of 6, still Brewers 1, Nats 1.

From Barry in Centreville:
During batting practice, how many pitches does each hitter get? And what does a hitter like Ryan Zimmerman look to accomplish? On the road, does any extra hitting have to come in the underground cage or can they hit before the home team?
Mark Zuckerman:
BP is done in hitting groups (usually of four). Those four guys each take turns in the cage, getting anywhere from two to maybe 10 swings each turn. The number decreases with each turn. They run a pretty tight ship, making sure everyone gets a chance in a limited amount of time. Different guys have different objectives in the cage, and I don't know exactly what Zimmerman is working on any given day. But most accomplished hitters aren't trying to reach the upper deck during BP. They're trying to go the other way, or go for the gaps or something else.

Sausage race update: Today's winner of the great Milwaukee sausage race is ... the bratwurst. Narrowly beat out the Italian sausage in a very close race. As for the game itself, Jason Bergmann continues to dominate. Six innings, one run, two hits. Vargas is now out of the game for the Brewers, replaced by lefty Brian Shouse. Top of the seventh, 1-1.

From Rachel in Fairfax:
What do the Nats plan to do in response to all of these recent injuries? Will they, like the Yankees, be firing their strength coach?
Mark Zuckerman:
Are you saying the esteemed Kazu Tomooka, Nats strength and conditioning coach, is in serious jeopardy? I don't think so. I do find it amusing that the Yankees made their strength coach the scapegoat after a few pitchers went down. Doubt that will happen here.

This game's getting interesting. Manny Acta just sent up three consecutive pinch-hitters to face Shouse in the seventh (Belliard, Batista, Logan) and all were retired. Logan, hitting for Bergmann (who was dominating and only threw 79 pitches), struck out on three pitches. Manny's going to face some tough questions after this one. In the meantime, Saul Rivera's on the mound in the bottom of the seventh, game still tied. I've got to get running, but thanks for joining in. See you back in D.C. next week!