--RHP Mike MacDougal signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals and will report to Class AAA Syracuse. MacDougal, a former All-Star closer with the Royals, was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Wednesday after posting a 12.46 ERA in five appearances. Washington has dealt with all sorts of bullpen woes this season, having blown seven saves in 10 opportunities, and acting GM Mike Rizzo has sought to shore up the relief corps with several veteran acquisitions. Since taking over for ex-GM Jim Bowden on March 1, Rizzo has signed LHP Joe Beimel, RHP Julian Tavarez, RHP Kip Wells, LHP Ron Villone and now MacDougal.
--LHP Joe Beimel was due to make a rehab appearance Sunday for Class A Potomac (Woodbridge, Va.), but that game was rained out. Beimel will now pitch Monday for Class AA Harrisburg (Pa.). Out since April 20 with a left hip injury, the veteran reliever is expected to come off the 15-day DL when eligible Wednesday and be available for the Nationals' series at the Dodgers. --C Jesus Flores is playing more this season than at any previous time in his professional career, but the Nationals believe he can handle the workload. Manager Manny Acta said he'd like for the 24-year-old catcher to start anywhere from 130-140 games. Flores has surpassed the 100-game mark only once as a professional, in 2006 with Class A St. Lucie (Fla.), but he said he's been working hard to keep his body ready for the long grind. "That's why we have spring training," he said. "It is the moment to get ready, to get your body in shape, to prepare yourself to be able to catch more than 120 games during the season. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but you've got to be tough."
BY THE NUMBERS: 0 -- Number of nine-inning starts by Nationals pitchers in 2007 and 2008. Rookie Shairon Martis finally ended the streak May 2 when he went the distance in a 6-1 win over the Cardinals.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Moments like this, games like this, they're worth five of those losses that we had before. This is what we're working for here, to develop these types of kids." -- Nationals manager Manny Acta, after rookie right-hander Shairon Martis threw a complete-game, five-hitter Saturday to beat the Cardinals, 6-1.
