Nats Trim Roster to 44

The Washington Nationals today made many moves to pare the roster down closer to the active 25-man roster that will open the season. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcements. After these cuts, the spring roster stands at 44.

The biggest highlights from the cuts include RHPs Collin Balestar, Tyler Clippard and Garrett Mock and LHP Ross Detwiler. All were competing for a job in the starting rotation, with Clippard and Mock perhaps ahead of the other two. Also, catcher Chad Moeller was unconditionally waived and immediately signed by the New York Yankees.

The entire list included right-handed pitcher Collin Balester, right-handed pitcher Rob Bell, left-handed pitcher Eude Brito, right-handed pitcher Bobby Brownlie, right-handed pitcher Adam Carr, shortstop Ian Desmond, outfielder Jason Dubois, catcher Javier Herrera, first baseman Luis Jimenez, infielder Ed Rogers, right-handed pitcher Brian Sanches, left-handed pitcher Jason Stanford and right-handed pitcher Dennis Tankersley assigned to minor-league camp.

The Nationals also optioned outfielder Rogeravin Bernadina to Double-A Harrisburg, right-handed pitcher Tyler Clippard to Triple-A Columbus, left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler to Single-A Potomac, outfielder Justin Maxwell to Double-A Harrisburg, right-handed pitcher Garrett Mock and first baseman Josh Whitesell to Triple-A Columbus.

Bottom Line: With the lingering soreness in Shawn Hill's right forearm, it's kind of surprising so many pitchers thought to be in the mix for the back of the rotation were sent down. At this point, if we assume Hill has top start the season on the DL, something not yet conceded by the front office, the rotation will be Patterson, Bergmann, Chico, Perez (if his visa problem gets solved) and one of Hanrahan, Redding or Lannan.

Also, it looks like Humberto Cota is the choice at back-up catcher if Estrada isn't ready for Opening Day.

Nats logo courtesy of the Washington Nationals and MLB.

"Nats Trim Roster to 44" also posted at DC Sports Box