John Lannan paused and thought about the question for a moment. 

TheWashingtonNationals have decided to fire Jose Rijo, the special assistant to general manager Jim Bowden who has been at the center of a scandal involving a top Dominican prospect who created a false identity. 

The Nationals plan to fire Jose Rijo, the front-office executive linked most closely to the signing of a Dominican prospect who lied about his age, according to a major-league source. 

Mike Hampton had to wait a few extra minutes to make his first start for the Houston Astros in a decade. 

Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden responded Monday to a report that he's part of a federal investigation into the skimming of signing bonuses given to prospects from Latin America, saying he's done nothing improper. 

Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden responded Monday to a report that he's part of a federal investigation into the skimming of signing bonuses given to prospects from Latin America, saying he's done nothing improper. 

The Washington Nationals released disgruntled pitcher Odalis Perez on Monday, a day after he failed to show up at spring training by the mandatory reporting deadline. 

The Washington Nationals released disgruntled pitcher Odalis Perez on Monday, a day after he failed to show up at spring training by the mandatory reporting deadline. 

After a slow offseason, the Nationals made a big splash just before spring training, signing 1B/OF Adam Dunn. 

The Nationals' signing of third baseman Ryan Zimmerman to a $3,325,000 contract for the 2009 season helped the team avoid an arbitration hearing with its franchise player by mere hours. 

--SS Carlos Alvarez is still planning to report to Nationals camp in Viera, Fla. 

WashingtonNationals team president Stan Kasten may have no more to say about the Smiley Gonzalez scandal, and he may have imposed a gag order on general manager Jim Bowden and others not to discuss it. 

There was no bold proclamation about his team "being ready to win more games than we lose" as there was a year ago at this time. 

Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden is part of a federal investigation into the skimming of signing bonuses given to prospects from Latin America, according to an SI. 

Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden is part of a federal investigation into the skimming of signing bonuses given to prospects from Latin America, according to an SI.