The Washington Nationals had a decision to make. Either part ways with 26-year-old left-hander Scott Olsen today and owe the pitcher, "45 days' pay" as Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore wrote this morning in a Nationals Journal post entitled, "In Altoona, Stephen Strasburg moves the needle", or retain the 5-year veteran and pay him the full amount of the 1-year/$1 million dollar (incentive-laden) deal he signed to return to DC this winter shortly after the Nationals non-tendered the former Marlins' pitcher. According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson's Twitter feed, Washington decided this morning that they, "...will not terminate the contract of LHP Scott Olsen." In a follow-up note, Mr. Ladson writes that Olsen, "...will either be optioned to Syracuse or be the 5th starter."
The Nationals announced earlier this morning that 27-year-old right-hander J.D. Martin, one of three pitchers, along with Olsen and righty Garrett Mock, who were under consideration for the fifth spot in the Nationals' rotation, had been sent to Triple-A Syracuse to start the season, leaving only Olsen and Mock as contenders for the final spot. Mock struggled mightily in his most recent start, giving up 7 hits, 5 walks and 5 ER in 4.2 IP yesterday against the Florida Marlins. Olsen's allowed 30 hits and 11 ER in 14.2 IP this Spring as he's recovered from surgery to repair a torn left labrum, but last time out he showed signs that he was close to throwing at full-strength, limiting the Atlanta Braves to 7 hits and 1 ER in 5.1 IP in which he K'd 4 without allowing a walk. No word on when the final decision on a fifth starter will be made...
Check back for updates...