Nationalsclub.com | Washington Nationals News, nationals Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div> After a wretched April, the Nationals started to get their act together in the last week. Impressive work from their starting rotation was the key. Rookie right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Shairon Martis combined to record five of the team's first six wins this season, and Martis set the tone for the rest of the staff by tossing a complete-game, five-hitter Saturday against the Cardinals.</div>PLAYER NEWS: --2B Ronnie Belliard was benched and fined after reporting late for batting practice before Saturday afternoon's game against the Cardinals. Belliard, who was due to be in the lineup for only the sixth time this season, said he overslept. But manager Manny Acta, who doled out a similar punishment to OF Elijah Dukes when he was late for batting practice on April 18, said all his players must adhere to the same rules. "But no hard feelings," Acta said, "because he has been real good and a solid citizen on and off the field for us for three years." --LHP John Lannan was scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Cardinals, but a rainout postponed that game so Lannan will now start Monday night against the Astros. The young left-hander, who had already prepared to face St. Louis' hitters, was planning to do a crash course on Houston's lineup in advance of his new assignment. "I'm going to watch some videos," he said. "I faced the Astros a couple of times. I faced them in spring training and I faced them last year. So I'm familiar with the hitters, more so than the Cardinals." MEDICAL WATCH: LHP Joe Beimel (strained left hip flexor) went on the 15-day disabled list April 21. He began a rehab assignment with Class A Potomac on May 1, and he is expected to return on May 6. 1B Dmitri Young (strained back and hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. He was expected to begin a 20-day rehab stint with Class AAA Syracuse in early May. 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. OF Roger Bernadina (broken right ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 19, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 29. He had surgery April 18, and he will miss a minimum of two months before beginning a rehab assignment. 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 Julian Tavarez RHP Kip Wells RHP Mike Hinckley RHP Joel Hanrahan RHP Saul Rivera RHP Garrett Mock RHP Logan Kensing CATCHERS: Jesus Flores Wil Nieves INFIELDERS: 1B Nick Johnson 2B Anderson Hernandez SS Cristian Guzman 3B Ryan Zimmerman INF Ronnie Belliard INF Alex Cintron OUTFIELDERS: LF Adam Dunn CF Elijah Dukes RF Austin Kearns OF Josh Willingham OF/2B Willie Harris

After a wretched April, the Nationals started to get their act together in the last week. Impressive work from their starting rotation was the key. Rookie right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Shairon Martis combined to record five of the team's first six wins this season, and Martis set the tone for the rest of the staff by tossing a complete-game, five-hitter Saturday against the Cardinals.

PLAYER NEWS:

--2B Ronnie Belliard was benched and fined after reporting late for batting practice before Saturday afternoon's game against the Cardinals. Belliard, who was due to be in the lineup for only the sixth time this season, said he overslept. But manager Manny Acta, who doled out a similar punishment to OF Elijah Dukes when he was late for batting practice on April 18, said all his players must adhere to the same rules. "But no hard feelings," Acta said, "because he has been real good and a solid citizen on and off the field for us for three years."

--LHP John Lannan was scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Cardinals, but a rainout postponed that game so Lannan will now start Monday night against the Astros. The young left-hander, who had already prepared to face St. Louis' hitters, was planning to do a crash course on Houston's lineup in advance of his new assignment. "I'm going to watch some videos," he said. "I faced the Astros a couple of times. I faced them in spring training and I faced them last year. So I'm familiar with the hitters, more so than the Cardinals."

MEDICAL WATCH:

LHP Joe Beimel (strained left hip flexor) went on the 15-day disabled list April 21. He began a rehab assignment with Class A Potomac on May 1, and he is expected to return on May 6.

1B Dmitri Young (strained back and hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. He was expected to begin a 20-day rehab stint with Class AAA Syracuse in early May.

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.

OF Roger Bernadina (broken right ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 19, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 29. He had surgery April 18, and he will miss a minimum of two months before beginning a rehab assignment.

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 Julian Tavarez

RHP Kip Wells

RHP Mike Hinckley

RHP Joel Hanrahan

RHP Saul Rivera

RHP Garrett Mock

RHP Logan Kensing

CATCHERS:

Jesus Flores

Wil Nieves

INFIELDERS:

1B Nick Johnson

2B Anderson Hernandez

SS Cristian Guzman

3B Ryan Zimmerman

INF Ronnie Belliard

INF Alex Cintron

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Adam Dunn

CF Elijah Dukes

RF Austin Kearns

OF Josh Willingham

OF/2B Willie Harris