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Nationals notebook Date published: 5/24/2008
BY RICH CAMPBELL WASHINGTON-- The Washington Nationals shook up their roster yesterday with a few moves that didn't address their offensive troubles. Instead, they targeted the low end of the bullpen.The Nationals selected the contracts of outfielder Ryan Langerhans, left-handed reliever Charlie Manning and right-handed reliever Brian Sanches from Triple-A Columbus. Relievers Matt Chico and Chris Schroder were optioned to Columbus. Although the moves did nothing to upgrade Washington's slumping lineup, general manager Jim Bowden hopes they will spark the team as a whole. "It's just a reminder how hard you have to work in the big leagues just to stay here," Bowden said. "Nothing's ever a given. And certainly I think that these moves remind everyone when they look in the mirror and they look at their performance that you don't necessarily get to stay up here. It's a privilege and an honor and you've got to work hard to stay here and work hard to get better." Chico (0-6, 6.19 ERA) was sent down after giving up four runs in five innings in a spot start on Wednesday night. He led the Nationals with 31 starts last season but was mostly ineffective in eight starts this year, going 0-6 with a 6.91 ERA. He was demoted to the bullpen on May 7 and pitched better in three relief outings, but the Nationals sent him down so he can fix his mechanics as part of Columbus' starting rotation. "We thought that was the best thing for him, to go over there and start and get his confidence back and be able to get better at locating his pitches," manager Manny Acta said. "Here, for his own good, just waiting to pitch out of the bullpen, waiting for somebody to have a rough outing so he could get a couple innings, that wasn't very good for him." Schroder (0-0, 5.40) was sent down for the third time this season. Also, right-hander Ryan Wagner (right shoulder) was moved from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL. Langerhans, 28, filled the roster spot vacated by right fielder Austin Kearns, who went on the 15-day DL Wednesday and had successful arthroscopic surgery yesterday to remove bone fragments from his right elbow.
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