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Nationals notebook Date published: 4/4/2007
BY JIM McCONNELL WASHINGTON--When outfielder Kory Casto was sent down to the minors Saturday, he expected to be back in D.C. at some point this season. Just not this soon. Casto was recalled from Triple-A Columbus yesterday and arrived two hours before the Nationals' 9-3 loss to the Florida Marlins, in time to play left field and bat second. The Nationals placed center fielder Nook Logan (strained left foot) and shortstop Cristian Guzman (strained left hamstring) on the 15-day disabled list and are expected to purchase the contract of infielder D'Angelo Jimenez from Triple-A Columbus today to fill out the team's roster. "People always say injuries are devastating," general manager Jim Bowden said. "Well, they are. But they also create opportunity for somebody." Casto, 25, was the immediate beneficiary. Jimenez will provide depth in the infield, but while Logan is out, Ryan Church will shift to center field and Casto will start in left. "He's going to play the majority of the time," manager Manny Acta said. Casto had a fine spring, hitting .280 in 22 games, but his demotion had more to do with the Nationals' crowded outfield than his own performance. He was one of the last cuts of spring training, and Bowden called the decision "devastating" and promised Casto would be among the team's first call-ups. No one expected the call to come this quickly, especially Casto, who arrived in Columbus Sunday. While the Nationals were losing to the Marlins Monday, Casto was unpacking his belongings. He was watching TV yesterday morning getting ready to eat breakfast when the team called. Logan was going on the disabled list; Guzman would have an MRI later in the day and join him. Could Casto be in Washington later in the day? "It's been pretty crazy, but I guess if you want it to happen you want it to happen in a way you can remember," said Casto, who hitched a ride to Washington on a private jet affiliated with the Columbus Clippers. "You've got to make it a little bit tough on the rookies, right?" Casto added. "So I guess sending me down there and coming back was just the way it was."
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