From Brian in Alexandria:
What's the latest on Elijah Dukes? What's his timetable for a return?
Mark Zuckerman:
Dukes was in Florida working his hamstring back into shape, and last I heard was making steady progress. He'll obviously need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before coming off the DL, and I suspect after watching Wily Mo Pena struggle so much, the Nats will want to give Elijah ample time to get his swing and timing down. We're probably looking at Dukes returning in a minimum of one week, maybe more likely 10-14 days.

From Joseph in Sacramento, Calif.:
Maybe this is a question and maybe just thinking aloud, but when I see the Nats I feel like I am watching small mix of solid pros (Zimmerman, Johnson, Milledge) and then a bunch of guys who are probably going to be dealt, let go or not considered for the long term plans (ie: Kearns, Guzman, LoDuca, Belliard, Pena, most the bench and most the starting pitching). Do you see this also or is it just me? Thanks.
Mark Zuckerman:
You're probably not too far off in your thinking, Joseph, and I know there are others who think like you. As much as the Nats tried to field a better team this season, the focus indeed remains on the future, and many of the current guys are simply place-holders until the kids are ready or the club is ready to sign free agents. Couple things I'd differ with you on, though: I do believe some of the starting pitching could be considered part of the long-term plan, especially John Lannan, perhaps Shawn Hill (if he can stay healthy) and Matt Chico (if he can stay consistent). Some relievers also will be around for a while (Rauch, Rivera, Cordero provided his shoulder's OK). So there are more than a couple of building blocks on the current roster. But not a ton.

From Kristin in Fairfax:
So, does Lannan get to keep his spot in the rotation now? It seems like a no-brainer that Chico would lose his spot.
Mark Zuckerman:
Well, yes, Lannan is in no danger of losing his spot after his last two dazzling performances. Chico has been far less impressive, downright ugly at times, but there doesn't seem to be an immediate need to create a spot in the rotation. Shawn Hill's back healthy, and there's no one else on the DL ready to come back. Unless the organization decides Mike O'Connor or Collin Balester is ready for a promotion, I think Chico sticks around a while longer.

From Charlie in Bethesda:
What is the latest on Cordero? Any news from down in Alabama?
Mark Zuckerman:
Nothing yet. I believe Cordero's appointment with Dr. Andrews was scheduled for 1:30 this afternoon. Not sure if we'll get an actual diagnosis today or if it won't come until tomorrow, but believe me when I say there are a lot of people within the organization (and outside) who are anxiously awaiting word.

From GoNats! in Manassas:
What happens if Chad Cordero is out for the season?
Mark Zuckerman:
Well, we'll probably be seeing a lot more of what we've seen the last three weeks. Jon Rauch would almost certainly become the full-time closer (though I suppose that could change if he struggles big-time in that role). Luis Ayala and Saul Rivera become the primary set-up men. Everyone else (Ray King, Jesus Colome, Joel Hanrahan, Chris Schroder if he gets called back up) will have to step up and fill the gap. Based on what we've seen so far, Cordero's absence has a significant trickle-down effect on the entire bullpen.

From Chris in Fairfax:
I think everyone was in support of the Milledge trade, but do you think that the team is missing the leadership that Schnieder and Church provided? It seems that the starting pitchers are regressing, could that be partially caused by the trade?
Mark Zuckerman:
I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one. The starting rotation, to me, has actually been one of the few strengths for this team so far. Sure, each guy has had probably one really bad start each, but otherwise have done well enough to keep their team in the game. I don't think the loss of Schneider (Church doesn't apply since he's an outfielder) has had a terrible effect on the staff, maybe a bit. The bigger problem perhaps has been the fact that Paul Lo Duca is on the DL, Johnny Estrada was on the DL and Jesus Flores was sent down more than a week ago and replaced by Wil Nieves. Find me another team that's already used four starting catchers this season. That's not good.

From Brian in Alexandria:
Mark, Ross Detwiler has struggled in his 2008 debut in Potomac. Including today's less than one inning of work, he's allowed 8 runs on 15 hits and 9 walks in only 14IP (though he has 14Ks). I realize it's still early, but I'm pretty sure they are not the results the Nationals expected. Is he injured?
Mark Zuckerman:
I've heard no rumblings of any Detwiler injury concerns. Not saying it's not possible, just saying I've yet to hear anything of the sort. Detwiler's numbers, to be sure, don't look good. But let's not forget this guy is still less than a year removed from college and has been bounced around plenty in his short pro career already. Give him some time to find his groove and enjoy some success at Class A, then move him up the system once he shows he's ready. There's really no reason to rush him.

From Ken in Mechanicsville, Md.:
Can anyone help Austin Kearns? Can't touch an inside fastball-swing is far too long. Sutton and Carpenter keep talking about him as if he were an All Star. He could not start for any other team.
Mark Zuckerman:
Don't know if I'd quite go that far -- look at some of the schlubs that are starting outfielders for other teams right now. But it's clear Kearns has been a near-disaster thus far, overshadowed only by Ryan Zimmerman's struggles. As much as team officials have touted Kearns as a potential 30-homer, 100-RBI guy, I think we're getting very close to the point of declaring that this is just what he is: at best a .260-20-70 hitter who seems to have some mechanical flaws in his swing that can't be corrected without a major overhaul that should've taken place years ago in the minors instead of now in the big leagues, where it may be too late.

From Charlie in Bethesda:
I just picked up tickets for tonight because I gotta see Johan. But I'm also curious about Redding. He's pitched so well with bad peripheral numbers. What should I look for to know Redding will be solid?
Mark Zuckerman:
To me, the best sign that Tim Redding is on (and he has been most of the season) is when he's getting hitters to swing and miss his fastball. He's one of the few guys on the team who has a fastball good enough to do that. Not just get guys to hit grounders or pop-ups, but to make them miss. If his fastball is on, then his breaking stuff becomes even tougher, and that's when he really pitches well.

From Nats Gal in Fairfax:
When will we see Jesus Flores back at Nationals Park? I miss him!
Mark Zuckerman:
I don't think you'll be seeing him in the immediate future. As we've said all along, the Nats do not want to stunt Flores' growth by sitting him on the bench for any length of time. He's currently at Columbus playing every day and catching the top pitching prospects we should see up here before long. Unless Lo Duca is going to miss significant time, or unless either he and/or Estrada are traded at some point, look for Flores to stay at Class AAA. But I still fully expect him to be the Nats' starting catcher in 2009.

From Joseph in Sacramento:
In describing John Lannans great start last night, Manny Acta described it as "part of The Plan." It still seems to me that this squad is still a major work in progress and that they are still just looking for pieces rather than having one entity trying to win. If this is the thought, what are their longer term ideas for this "Plan" going into the upcoming draft as well as trade deadline moves and the offseason? I ask this knowing the season just started, but if the club's manager is allowed to say a quality start is about "The Plan" rather than getting closer to a penant, then I should be able to ask about the future of "The Plan."
Mark Zuckerman:
You're absolutely entitled to talk about the future. In some ways, the Nats would prefer that you do. This club is still in the process of identifying pieces that fit into the long-term plan, just as they were a year ago. Now, they felt like they had added better short-term pieces that would help them win this year (and perhaps that will still happen, though it obviously hasn't yet). But whether they win 65, 75 or 85 games this year, that's not going to change the organization's big-picture focus. So when a guy like John Lannan pitches the way he did last night (and last week in New York), club officials have a right to get excited, because it's further confirmation he figures into the long-term plan.

From Mike in Fredericksburg:
Thanks for the great coverage of the Nats. Our starting pitching has been surprisingly good to me this year, but the bullpen, which has always been a strength of the team, has been a weak spot with several runs allowed and a handfull of blown saves. Should I be worried?
Mark Zuckerman:
You absolutely should be worried. I think the bullpen's overall performance has been the most surprising aspect to this young season. I can't reiterate how much Cordero's absence/struggles make a difference. Even if Chad isn't pitching great and blowing some saves, his presence allows the rest of the pen to fall into place. Rauch is a good eighth-inning guy, not a good closer. Ayala and Rivera are good middle-inning guys. King should be facing only lefties, but Manny Acta hasn't been able to use him like that.

From Mr. Madison in New Carrollton:
Do you see any problem, any problem at all, with a catching corps of Jesus Flores as the starter, and Wil Nieves as the backup? I don't see much wrong with that, and in fact I think our current catchers (Estrada moreso than Lo Duca) could end up being deadline trade bait, if Flores puts up the numbers in Columbus. Whaddya think?
Mark Zuckerman:
I believe there will be a lot of trade talk later this summer involving both Lo Duca and Estrada, assuming the Nats are still struggling as a whole and not stunningly in a pennant race. Whether one or both will be traded remains to be seen -- Bowden's not going to give away anyone. But I've believed from the beginning that Jesus Flores could very well be this team's regular catcher come August.

OK folks, I've got to get going. Time to head down to the ballpark for the first of 11 straight home games. Thanks for all the questions. Talk to you again next week.