With Homeland Security issues aside, C Jesus Flores arrived in Viera for training camp. Flores blames his tardiness and VISA problems on the Nats front office of sending the forms out late. But, the Nats responded …
“As soon as the club received approval for Jesus Flores’ visa petition by the [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services], we forwarded it to the player without delay,” said senior director of baseball media relations John Dever. “The immigration process for visa approvals took longer than normal. We applied for all visa petitions the same time as every other year — in early December.”
Yo, Jesus, wanna vie for the starting slot at Catcher next season, don’t hang the management that supports you.
Flores other problem is he sees himself as the starter here, despite the signs of Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada. Not surprising, the Nationals have made it clear, even at the end of last season, that Flores needs to play, hone his skills and bat, and be ready to be the every day starter in 2009.
Flores will likely be optioned to Harrisburg (AA) as full time catcher this season. So don’t get too comfy Jesus.
How’s Patterson … Bill Ladson also updated us on John Patterson …
Right-hander John Patterson threw live batting practice for the first time this spring on Sunday, and he didn’t have any pain. He said he felt relaxed on the mound and was able to throw all of his pitches.
So far so good!
And Nick Johnson … Seems assured that Nick Johnson will be ready to go Opening Day at first base. Johnson has had no restrictions or cut backs in regiment so far, a great sign.
The Nationals are waiting to evaluate Johnson’s performance this spring before making a decision on their first base situation, where Johnson and veteran Dmitri Young are both seeking the starting job.
This is going to be as interesting as the middle of the infield with Ronnie Belliard, Christian Guzman and Felipe Lopez. The log jams, while puzzling to us as fans, is a dream for manager Manny Acta. Last year first base was from settled with the injury to Nick Johnson. The nationals had a ton holes at this point last season in camp. This year they boast a Young/Johnson log jam at first base, a Lopez/Belliard/Guzman jam in the middle, and a Pena/Kearns/Milledge/Langerhans/Dukes/Harris jam in the outfield. By far a much more superior position from Acta’s focal point.
Nats in HD … Nationals Journal reports that MASN will be announcing up to 40 Nationals games will be televised in HD.
Elijah’s covered with support … Dukes to have plenty of support … There was alot of talk on the roles that Barry Larkin and Dmitri Young will have in helping to mold Elijah Dukes out of his troubled past. Here’s a good story on the team as a whole ready to help Elijah.
Not only has Dukes appeared to fit in well with batting practice partners Wily Mo Pena and Lastings Milledge, but pitcher Garrett Mock has told the outfielder to call him any time to talk baseball, grab a bite to eat or even “go whack golf balls in the wrong direction.”
And How about Milledge? … Well, he is no longer the new kid on the block. Lastings knows what the expectations are and is loving DC.
“Everybody treats everybody with respect here,” Milledge said Sunday. “The clubhouse is great. Everybody communicates with everybody. Everybody’s personality is pretty much the same. We all fit in. And it’s good, because I really didn’t fit in over there.”
Don’t underestimate the ‘feel’ coming out of Viera in the clubhouse. This is not the first we have heard of a positive vibe and mix between the players. Chemistry is huge in baseball and if this young teams gels quickly, well, look out.
I didn’t need a change of scenery,” he said. “I was OK. I wasn’t complaining with the Mets. But I knew it was going to take me a long time to get where I needed to be, to be the type of player I wanted to be. These guys believed in me and they figure I can get the job done, so I’m here and I’m happy.”
Milledge didn’t take a lot of time to answer the obvious follow up question — do you think the Mets believed in you?
The answer was no. “Because I’m inexperienced,” he said. “They like experienced guys — especially Willie.”
and …
With a new start, a starting job and now even a role in a commercial, Milledge is clearly one of the players the Nationals believe they can build the team around.
“I wouldn’t say the face of the team, but they’re getting me involved in a lot of stuff,” he said. “It’s good to have people really believe in you. I really didn’t get any love over there, which is fine, because they’re a big market. They’re not going to wait around on the young guys.”
It’d be nice to see Zimmy as a face of the team, meaning a long term, new deal.
Possibly Related Posts:
- The Calder Cup
- Belanger inks one year deal with Caps
- Redskins Link Dump (8/9)
- Nats trade Christian Guzman to Rangers
- El-Bashir leaving Post Caps beat
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