Hello from Philadelphia, where the Nats (following a day off) return to the field tonight, looking to improve to 3-0. Tim Redding on the hill against Cole Hamels. We should also get an update on the status of Chad Cordero's right shoulder, which has now had three days to rest and recover from the cortisone shot he received on Sunday. Plenty to talk about, so let's get right to your questions. As always, click on the above link to submit something, or email me directly at natsmailbag@washingtontimes.com. ...
From Tom in Burlington, Ontario:
Hi, Mark. Why are the Nats going to pitch 2 of their starters on 3 days rest so early in the season rather than having Lannan as the 5th starter for now until Hill is eligible to come off the DL? Seems like a recipe for sending guys to the DL. Like we need any more of that!
Mark Zuckerman:
We haven't really made a big deal out of this yet, though it's definitely something to watch over the weekend when it happens. The plan: Tim Redding and Jason Bergmann are each going to pitch on three days' rest, helping the Nats avoid needing a fifth starter until April 13. I wouldn't be overly concerned, though. It's early in the year, and the Nats aren't going to push either Redding or Bergmann too hard. They probably won't go more than five, six innings tops, with pitch counts well under 100. I think they prefer that over calling Lannan up just to make one start and then send him back down again. No need to mess with a young pitcher's development like that.
From Mr. Madison in New Carrollton:
Maybe I was just caught up in the moment of the Magical Opening Day, but I swear that when Ryan Zimmerman was introduced before the game, Don Sutton introduced him as the Team's All-Time Leader in several Offensive categories. I don't remember exactly which ones pecifically though. I'm pretty sure that RBIs was one of them. Is this perhaps hinting towards the Nationals Franchise leaving the Expos History and Records in Montreal, where it belongs(imo)? They unretired the Expos retired numbers, and I don't recall seeing *anything* in the stadium that even remotely hints towards an existence in Montreal(though I may just as well have missed it). I don't think it is right to pick and choose which parts of the history you embrace, and which ones you don't. Any thoughts/insight on this? Oh, and you guys did an excellent job in the Print Sports Section for your Opening Day coverage.
Mark Zuckerman:
I believe I heard the same thing from Sutton as he was introducing Zim, who indeed has the most homers, RBI and I believe hits in Nats history. As for the official records, both the team and MLB continue to consider the Montreal/Washington franchise as one entity that began play in 1969. So Vladimir Guerrero is the franchise's all-time home run leader. But the Nats have two other categories in the records section of their media guide: Records for the Nats only (2005-present) and records for Washington baseball teams (1901-1971, 2005-present). It's a bit confusing, but they felt this was the best way to cover all the bases.
From Steve in Fairfax Station:
I think the improved line-up will score more runs, but to me the other half of the equation is pitching. I'm not sold on the current starting rotation due to health concerns, or because they didn't pan out with other teams. Do you see the Nats working out a trade this season for a real front-line starter -- someone who can win them at least 15 games and doesn't have a history of health issues? Otherwise it seems we're looking at another 73 win season.
Mark Zuckerman:
You are absolutely justified in being worried about the rotation. There's nothing close to a sure thing in there, and that will ultimately decide the Nats' fate in 2008 more than the lineup or bullpen or anything else. I don't, however, see this team trading for a proven starting pitcher (not unless they're in a pennant race come July). I do see them promoting several of their top prospects from Class AAA Columbus as this season plays out. The rotation may be Perez-Chico-Redding-Bergmann-Hill right now, but come August it could very well be Lannan-Mock-Balester-Clippard-O'Connor.
From Barry Prophet in Reston:
Mark: During the Brewers-Cubs game on Monday, Milwaukee outfielders -- when a new hitter came up -- would pull an index card from their back pocket and look at it. Obviously, this was some kind of scouting report, but I had never seen that before. Do the Nationals do this?
Mark Zuckerman:
Wow, that's a new one for me. Never seen a player whip out a scouting report while in the field. I'm sure it had to do with positioning for different batters. That's common among all teams. Most, however, including the Nats, just have a coach in the dugout reading the scouting reports and then shouting out to the players in the field where they should position themselves. Interesting to see if more teams take the Brewers' new approach.
From Edward Charles in Woodhaven:
Why would Acta allow 2 of his four starters pitch on short days rest so early in the season, especially with Redding 1 week removed from a back spasm? Also, why are they allowing Hill to pitch with pain? Is this his last shot, to make it or break it?
Mark Zuckerman:
I touched on the short-rest thing earlier, so let's focus on the Hill part of the question... Basically, because every test taken has shown no structural damage to Hill's arm, and because Hill is clearly capable of dominating when he's on the mound, and because he's willing to attempt to pitch through pain, the Nats are moving forward with this plan. Can it work? Perhaps, though that's a lot of things that have to go right for this to work. But yes, Hill could be looking at this as his last shot, and if so, he's going to do everything he can to make it work.
Looks like that's all we've got for today. Talk to you all next Wednesday from Nationals Park.
