The Nationals avoided a sweep with an 8-1 win over the Mets on Sunday, but they have continued to struggle with the same issues that led them to 13 losses in their first 16 games this season. Washington's remade bullpen hasn't blown a save since the Nationals sent three players to the minors on April 19, but a lack of productive hitting and a spate of errors led to back-to-back one run losses on Wednesday and Friday. The topper was an 8-2 loss to the Mets on Saturday, when the fly ball Elijah Dukes lost in the sun led to three Mets runs.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Joel Hanrahan could be in jeopardy of losing the closer's job after blowing his third save in five opportunities this season against the Phillies on Monday night. Hanrahan gave up a grand slam to Raul Ibanez in the eighth inning after walking Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth to load the bases. "I tried to avoid the home run instead of going directly at them," Hanrahan said. "I messed up by walking Howard and by walking Werth."
--3B Ryan Zimmerman hit two home runs in Monday's 13-11 loss to the Phillies, running his hitting streak to 16 games, the longest streak in the majors this year. He also continued an uncharacteristically strong April. Zimmerman, a career .246 hitter in March and April, is batting .295 with four homers and 13 RBIs. "It's nice to start with a good month, instead of having a hole to dig myself out of," Zimmerman said.
--IF/OF Willie Harris will be activated from the 15-day disabled list in time to rejoin the team for Tuesday's game in Philadelphia, manager Manny Acta said Monday. Harris, who has been out since April 13 with a strained left oblique muscle, will likely see more time in the outfield because of the Nationals' glut of middle infielders, Acta said.
--SS Cristian Guzman is on track to return from the 15-day disabled list and play Wednesday against the Phillies, manager Manny Acta said Monday. Guzman, who has been out since April 14 with a left hamstring strain, was hitting .515 in seven games before he went down. Acta said Guzman will resume his role as the team's leadoff hitter.
MEDICAL WATCH:
LHP Joe Beimel (strained left hip flexor) went on the 15-day disabled list April 21.
SS Cristian Guzman (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 14. He will go on a minor league rehab assignment but should be back after missing just 15 days.
2B/OF Willie Harris (strained left oblique muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 13. He was set to begin a rehab assignment with Class AAA Syracuse during the week of April 20-26.
OF Roger Bernadina (broken right ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 19. He had surgery April 18, and he will miss a minimum of two months before beginning a rehab assignment.
1B Dmitri Young (strained back and hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. He remained at extended spring training in Viera, Fla., in late April with no timetable for his return to the majors.
RHP Terrell Young (inflamed right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He started a throwing program at extended spring training in early April.
LHP Matt Chico (Tommy John elbow surgery in July 2008) went on the 60-day disabled list March 28. He will miss at least the first half of the season.
ROTATION:
LHP John Lannan
LHP Scott Olsen
RHP Daniel Cabrera
RHP Shairon Martis
RHP Jordan Zimmermann
BULLPEN:
RHP Joel Hanrahan (closer)
RHP Julian Tavarez
RHP Mike Hinckley
RHP Saul Rivera
RHP Garrett Mock
RHP Jason Bergmann
RHP Kip Wells
CATCHERS:
Jesus Flores
Wil Nieves
INFIELDERS:
1B Nick Johnson
2B Anderson Hernandez
SS Alberto Gonzalez
3B Ryan Zimmerman
INF Ronnie Belliard
INF Alex Cintron
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Adam Dunn
CF Elijah Dukes
RF Austin Kearns
OF Josh Willingham
OF Justin Maxwell
