CHATTER

Wednesday lineups

Here are the lineups for the Nationals' game tonight against the Phillies:

Live chat today -- 1 p.m.

Please join me today at 1 p.m. for our weekly Nats live chat. You can access the chat at this site.

At least they scored a run tonight

Another day, another Nationals loss. But on the bright side, they actually scored tonight in a 2-1 loss to the Phillies.

Lineups and news

A few news updates before we get to the lineups:

57 to go

Please welcome your Washington Nationals back home. They desperately need your warm wishes after a brutal West Coast trip that saw them get swept in succession by the Giants and Dodgers.

Wrapping up a frustrating week

Well, the Nats were shut out yet again today, 2-0 by the Dodgers. For those keeping score at home -- and really, why torture yourself like that? -- that's 15 shutouts this season (most in the majors) and three in the last four days.

Cordero speaks

Chad Cordero addresses his recovery from shoulder surgery, Jim Bowden's public announcing of the club's plan to non-tender him and whether or not he'll consider re-signing with the Nats this winter.

How good is Lannan?

Few outside of Washington have even heard of him, but John Lannan should be on everyone's radar screen around baseball. In fact, he should be getting strong consideration for NL Rookie of the Year honors.

Wild, wild west

Something occurred to me sometime in the last 24 hours: The Nats always make news on the West Coast.

Milledge activated, Estrada cut

Following today's 1-0 loss to the Giants, the Nationals activated outfielder Lastings Milledge off the DL and designated catcher Johnny Estrada for assignment.

Cordero's future [Updated at 6:48 p.m.]

Jim Bowden says the Nats won't tender Chad Cordero a contract this winter. But that doesn't mean the injured closer won't be back in 2009.

Odds and ends

Some updates to pass along as the Nats and Giants get underway tonight...

Looking at 2009 salaries

Yesterday's developments might leave you wondering how much the Nationals have invested in payroll in 2009 and beyond. So I took a few moments to scrounge up some contract details. Here you go...

Live chat today -- 1 p.m.

Nats trade Rauch, re-sign Guzman (UPDATED AT 9:32 P.M.)

The Nationals have traded reliever Jon Rauch to the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor-league second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and also have re-signed shortstop Cristian Guzman to a two-year, $16 million contract extension.