Inside the Nats: Strasburg scratched, Dunn update

Stephen Strasburg gave Nationals fans a near heart attack last night.  After being unable to properly loosen up during the pre-game bullpen session, the Nationals scratched Strasburg from his schedule start yesterday. 

Fortunately for the Nats, for Strasburg, and for Nats fans, preliminary x-rays and MRI were negative and showed only minor inflammation.   

The Nationals consider Strasburg day-to-day after a body of medical tests revealed right shoulder inflammation and soreness but no structural damage, Rizzo said. An X-ray came back negative, and an MRI exam taken before the game ended showed no changes from the MRI the Nationals performed on Strasburg immediately after they signed him last summer — no damage to his labrum or rotator cuff.

“That’s good news,” Rizzo said. “You always like the positive news that the caution that you showed was worthwhile. This is something, given a couple a days rest, he should be better.”

Given the fact the rookie phenom is on a season innings count, I suspect the nationals will remain very precautionary with Strasburg.  He will likely rest and not throw for a few days and then begin pitching again. 

Nats win 3-0 . . . So the Nationals had to make alternative plans yesterday on the mound.  They turned to long reliever Miguel Batista, who gave the Nationals 5 scoreless innings.  Oh stop it!  We are not joking, we did not make that up.

Batista threw 5 scoreless innings, allowing just 2 hits and recording 6 strike outs.  Sean Burnett, Drew Storen, and Matt Capps combined to complete the Nats shutout of first place Atlanta.  Capps earned his 25^th save. 

Ian Desmond had the hot bat, doubling twice, going 2 for 2 and driving in 2 of the 3 runs.  The other run came in the first on a throwing error by Atlanta that allowed Nyjer organ to score. 

Olsen returns . . . P Scott Olsen is set for Thursday to make his return to the Nationals starting rotation.  Olsen ha snot made a start since May 21^st, going on the disabled list.  He will make his start Thursday against Atlanta, replacing JD Martin, who will miss a start or two with an injury.

Dunn Update . . . What the deal with Dunn?  Dunn reportedly wants a four year deal, but would be willing to take a three year extension with the Nationals.  The Nationals have reportedly only been considering a two year deal, baffling to say the least.  Other reports surfaced yesterday that the Nationals may not have even made a single offer to Dunn as of yet. 

That raises this question to me?  If they plan to indeed trade Dunn and perhaps Josh Willingham, where is the power in the lineup going to come from?  There is no other power.  Additionally, there is no real power in the Nationals minor league system.  Any ideas?   

ESPN reported that any deal with the Chicago White Sox would have to include top pitching prospect Daniel Hudson.   

Any deal for Dunn would have to include Daniel Hudson, the White Sox’s top pitching prospect. The Nationals also want one of three White Sox prospects: catcher Tyler Flowers, outfielder Jordan Danks or injured infielder Brent Morel.

The White Sox turned down a Washington request for a Dunn-for-Gordon Beckham deal straight up, according to the source.

Another source told ESPNChicago.com that Washington has six teams bidding for Dunn, including the White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers. There are also two unidentified National League teams in the mix.

As for Willingham, NESN reports the Boston red Sox have interest in Josh Willingham. 

Outfielder Josh Willingham has taken a beating over the last two seasons while playing for a struggling Nationals franchise, but according to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the veteran could be heading to a contender by Saturday’s trade deadline.

Stark lists the Red Sox, Braves and Rays as teams interested in the right-handed slugger. Willingham has appeared in left field for 92 games this season and is hitting .273 with 15 homer and 50 RBIs. Willingham, who has also played right field, first base and even catcher in the past, is checking in with a career-high .880 OPS and is one steal away from tying his career high of eight steals in one season.

The Atlanta Braves and SF Giants also have reported interest in Willingham.

Not sure if an Edwin Jackson deal to the Nats is in the mix anymore. 

The D’Backs seek a durable starter in any deal for Jackson and they should have suitors to choose from this week. Rosenthal reports that two to three clubs other than the Nationals are pursuing Jackson. Jack Magruder of FOX Sports Arizona reported on Twitterthat the D’Backswould have to be “overwhelmed”; to deal Jackson, but they would certainly consider it

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