--3B Ryan Zimmerman wasted no time keeping his hitting streak alive Wednesday night. Zimmerman singled in the first inning by smoking a hard grounder past Dodgers 3B Casey Blake, extending his streak to 24 games, the longest in the majors this season. Zimmerman is one game shy of matching Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler's 25-game streak from last season, tops in the majors. Mets OF Moises Alou was the last big-leaguer to extend a hitting streak to 30 games, doing that in 2007.
--LHP Joe Beimel was activated off the 15-day disabled list prior to Wednesday night's game at Los Angeles, a move the Nationals hope will help their beleaguered bullpen. Beimel, who strained his left hip flexor trying to field a bunt on April 20, was the club's most effective reliever at the time, posting a 1.23 ERA in eight appearances. He'll now become part of Washington's closer-by-committee, joining RHP Julian Tavarez and RHP Kip Wells. How much difference can the 32-year-old lefty make? "Big difference," manager Manny Acta said. "We saw that starting in spring training with him, how he can push guys back down to a better comfort level. And now he's a guy we can use in the eighth, in the ninth. Guys feel comfortable with him." --SS Cristian Guzman owns an impressive .397 on-base percentage this season. Unfortunately, that's also his batting average. Guzman has yet to draw a walk in 68 at-bats. It's not exactly the kind of stat the Nationals would like to see out of their regular leadoff man, but they're willing to live with it so long as Guzman continues to get so many hits. If, however, his batting average starts to fall, the coaching staff may begin pushing the free-swinging shortstop to start taking a few more pitches.
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 was activated 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
LHP Joe Beimel
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
