CHATTER
Only at The Washington Times: Mark Zuckerman and Ben Goessling blog on the Washington Nationals.
Latest Blog Entries
Lineups from Denver
Grettings from Coors Field, where the Nationals start a four-game series tonight against the Rockies.
Dukes still sidelined
Good morning from Nationals Park, where Elijah Dukes is out of the starting lineup for the second straight day.
Elijah Dukes update
Interesting day for Elijah Dukes. He showed up a few minutes late for the Nationals' team stretch, was pulled from the lineup for being late, inserted as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning, batted three times from the sixth to the eighth and pulled up short while running out a grounder after he hit himself in the right calf with the bat on his backswing.
Saturday lineups
Here are the lineups for tonight's game against the Reds. The Nationals sent out a new lineup around 4:50 p.m., with Ryan Langerhans starting in left instead of Elijah Dukes. Dukes, who was originally slated to bat third, walked into the Nationals' clubhouse at 4:20 p.m., five minutes after position players were supposed to be on the field stretching.
Bob Carpenter to return in 2009
Nationals television announcer Bob Carpenter was informed tonight that he will return in 2009 for his fourth season with the club.
New-look Nats already?
We're three innings into August, and already it's looking a whole lot better than July for the Nationals.
Mock optioned
The much anticipated roster move to get the Nats down to 25 has just been announced, and it's a bit of a surprise: They've optioned Garrett Mock back to Columbus.
The dust has settled...
...and that leaves the Nationals with what, exactly?
Reaction from Lo Duca and Lopez
OK, let's start with some quotes from all the interested parties regarding tonight's postgame roster moves: (Paul Lo Duca, Felipe Lopez and Johnny Estrada released, Elijah Dukes activated off the DL, Emilio Bonifacio recalled from Columbus, Alberto Gonzalez acquired from the Yankees)...
Lo Duca, Lopez released
Paul Lo Duca, Felipe Lopez and Johnn Estrada (who had been DFA'd last week) were all given their unconditional release. Emilio Bonifacio, Elijah Dukes and Alberto Gonzalez will all be added to the roster tomorrow.
More moves to come?
OK, so as we sit here at 9 p.m., the Nats well on their way to a ninth-straight loss and third straight sweep, here are some thoughts on the day's events and what may still lie ahead...
Zim leaves game [UPDATED AT 8:50 P.M.]
Ryan Zimmerman was plunked on the right hand in the third inning of tonight's game, and though he remained in the game, he was replaced at the end of the inning.
Nationals make a trade
While all of the beat reporters are downstairs talking to Manny, the Nationals announced a trade. ... but don't get excited.
Approaching 4 p.m.
There is nothing to the John Lannan or Joel Hanrahan to the White Sox rumor. Repeat: nothing.
Deadline deal unlikely
Jim Bowden essentially said there's no market for the Nats' available veterans: Paul Lo Duca, Odalis Perez and Felipe Lopez.
