The Washington Nationals announced this morning that they'd optioned LHP Atahualpa Severino to Triple-A Syracuse and re-assigned Andres Blanco to minor league camp, and then added more moves this afternoon in a press release that revealed that they'd released outfielder Jason Michaels (who becomes a free agent) and optioned right-hander Ryan Perry to Triple-A as well, where he'll work out of the bullpen with Severino. None of these moves are all that surprising.
A little surprising, considering the circumstances... (Free agent outfielder sitting at home waiting for a deal... signs with the Nationals, goes to minor league camp, impresses the big league manager and gets brought up to the big league team... where he's given a shot to make the Opening Day roster) ... is the report from MLB.com writer Mark Bowman, who tweeted (@MLBBowman) after the Braves and Nationals played this afternoon to report that Atlanta had interest in a Nats' outfielder...
#Braves have expressed interest in Nationals outfielder Xavier Nady. Could be the RH bat they have been seeking.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 29, 2012
Reports in the last day or so have said that Nady actually has a shot at making the Nats' Opening Day roster. Davey Johnson reportedly all-but confirmed that Brett Carroll and Nady would make the Opening Day roster this afternoon. Maybe the Nats will deal him when Morse gets back? Who knows. What we do know is that Mitch Atkins (pictured above, who signed on 2/14/12) will start against the Detroit Tigers tonight. It's on MLB.tv. Lineup below:
- Steve Lombardozzi - 2B
- Xavier Paul - RF
- Chad Tracy - DH
- Jesus Flores - C
- Mark Teahen - LF
- Jarrett Hoffpauir - 3B
- Corey Brown - CF
- Tim Pahuta - 1B
- Josh Johnson - SS