From OKgunfight:
Can you tell us what is wrong with John Patterson's arm and when he might be pitching again? The last we heard he was supposed to have some nerve tests and was seeing a physical therapist. The Nats need him healthy and back in the rotation!
Mark Zuckerman:
Well, the good news is that ask I type this, Patterson is playing catch in left field with Nats head trainer Lee Kuntz, with pitching coach Randy St. Claire standing beside watching intently. Officially, Patterson was placed on the 15-day DL on May 6 with a strained right elbow and biceps. He told me the other day, though, that the nerve problem remains the key issue and is causing everything else. Doctors have determined the problem starts all the way up in the back of his neck and follows the ulnar nerve all the way down his arm. The good thing is that there doesn't appear to be any structural damage to anything. It's just a matter of getting the nerve irritation under control (and probably also a matter of Patterson being able to pitch through some discomfort, something he's never been especially good at). I'll be talking to him again today to see how his throwing session went, but in an ideal world he could be sent on a rehab assignment in another week or two, then return to the rotation in early June.


From Jeffrey Saffelle in Alexandria:
What's going on with Felipe Lopez? Last Friday, on a lazy grounder to second by the Marlins Pitcher, Felipe threw just a lazy toss to first, resulting in an error on Belliard at first. Last night, he didn't seem to give his all on two bloopers between he and Kearns, both falling in. On the second hit, he was booed by the crowd. When your leadoff hitter is hitting just .236 and showing less of an effort in the field, is there something wrong with him? Physically or mentally?
Mark Zuckerman:
I have to admit I didn't notice Lopez dogging it in those couple situations you describe. Not saying he didn't, just saying I wasn't watching him closely at the time. As far as his overall performance goes, Felipe has not done much lately, not since he hit those two homers in Milwaukee last week. I tend to think he's just going through a little slump right now, though I will also say that since he was acquired from the Reds last summer, he has rarely looked like the All-Star infielder he was touted as. He's still a solid player at times, but a complete offense igniter? Not from what I've seen. His best asset is his speed. Tough to take advantage of that when you're not on base.


From Michael in Westport, Conn.:
Whatever happened to the shortstop the Nats signed out of the Dominican Republic? I think his name is Gonzalez. I do not see his name on any of the minor league rosters. The same goes for Colton Willems, last year's #1 draft choice. Are these kids hurt or something?
Mark Zuckerman:
Never fear: Esmailyn "Smiley" Gonzalez is doing just fine. The reason you don't see his name anywhere, though, is because he's currently playing at Nats extended spring training in Viera, Fla. They play games down there, they just don't keep stats. There was some talk this spring the club might put Gonzalez at Class A Hagerstown, but asst. GM Bob Boone just didn't want to rush this very promising 17-year-old, so he's stayed in Viera all this time. Later this summer, he'll probably be promoted to either the rookie Gulf Coast League squad or short-season Class A Vermont, with a lot of this year's draft picks. Same goes for Willems, who like Gonzalez remains at extended spring training.


From Connie Schneider in Maryland City, Md.:
Hi Mark. When Jesus Flores catches a game, why does he use Brian Schneider's mask from either this year or last year? I think Brian is catching when he's not. Thanks.
Mark Zuckerman:
Hi Connie -- any relation to Brian, or is that mere coincidence? ... I believe you're referring to the American flag/bald eagle hockey-style catcher's mask that both Schneider and Flores wear. Schneider has been wearing it since the team came to town in 2005, but he previous backups didn't. Flores, though, likes the style so he has his own matching mask. It's not literally the same one that they're passing back and forth to each other, just a duplicate copy. Either way, the 22-year-old Flores has looked quite impressive both behind the plate and with a bat. He looks like a keeper.


From GoNats! in Fairfax:
What's the deal with Manny Acta's goatee? Some days he has it, some days he doesn't.
Mark Zuckerman:
Ah, the goatee, a subject of much discussion lately. Here's the deal: Acta, a man of a few superstitions, lets it grow out as long as the Nats are on a winning or losing streak. Once the streak ends, he shaves. So after the 8-game losing streak, it was quite long. Then they won and he shaved it, only to go four more days without breaking out the razor. One slight complication may have arisen, though: His daughter seems to like the goatee, and that may force Manny to keep it regardless of his team's fortunes.


From Tim R. in Columbus, Ohio:
When the pitching staff is healthy, how will things shake out? Is there a chance any more guys from the minors get called up?
Mark Zuckerman:
Sorry, Tim Redding -- don't expect any calls from Jim Bowden anytime soon, not with your 6.56 ERA and 51 hits allowed in 35 2/3 innings! As far as the actual major-league staff goes, I'd say ultimately four of the five spots are set: John Patterson, Shawn Hill, Matt Chico and Jason Bergmann. As long as they're all healthy, they're in. The fifth spot probably goes to Jason Simontacchi as long as he's healthy and keeping the Nats in games. Really, there's only one other guy at Columbus who the club would be seriously interested in: Joel Hanrahan, but he's been sidelined with a hamstring injury so Billy Traber got the call-up today to replace Jerome Williams.


From Screech'sBestFriend in Alexandria:
Cristian Guzman has been a revelation over the past 5 games. The team's most consistent offensive performer, solid in the field and has shown some serious speed running the bases (two triples). Are we seeing the real "GUZ"--finally?
Mark Zuckerman:
That's the $16.8 million question, my friend. Certainly, the last week has been quite promising for Guzman, who is hitting .314 with a couple of triples. As we've seen, when he's healthy and putting the ball in play, he can really make some things happen on the bases. His first-to-third speed takes a backseat to no one on this team, not even Nook Logan. But it's WAY too early to declare a "New Guzie" in town. Let's wait another week or two or seven before making a final determination. It is nice, however, to hear the fans at RFK chant "Guuuuz," not "Booooo" for a change.


From RF in Manassas:
I see you don't have Levale Speigner in your rotation. Does he not figure into the plan?
Mark Zuckerman:
Speigner, who makes his first career start tonight, could figure into the long-term plan, but the Nats seem to view him as a reliever, not a starter. The rookie Rule 5 pick (who grew up a Braves fan in Thomasville, Ga.) will certainly get a chance to make his case to stay in the rotation tonight and again in five days when he returns to the mound. But if everyone else is healthy, he probably is the odd man out.


From John in Fairfax:
Mark, which of these outfielders will be back for sure next season? Seems like Kearns is the only lock to be a starter. What do you think?
Mark Zuckerman:
Kearns obviously will be back, considering the long-term contract he signed. I'm surprised you left Ryan Church out, though. If he continues to hit the way he has during the season's first six weeks, he figures to remain in either left or center field (unless, of course, he's traded as so many have often speculated). I agree, though, that the third spot will probably come from somewhere else. Nook Logan, Ryan Langerhans -- they could remain as backups, but this team needs a power-hitting outfielder to go along with the other two guys.


OK, that'll do it for this week. Thanks to everyone who posted questions. Tell your friends to join us next week from Cincinnati! Until then...