NATIONALS NOTEBOOK
Williams to DL; Casto Set to Return Today
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Monday, April 30, 2007
The Washington Nationals placed right-hander Jerome Williams on the 15-day disabled list yesterday because of a sprained ankle, opening a spot for reliever Ray King to return from shoulder tendinitis but leaving a question about what the rotation will look like in two weeks.
But the somewhat surprising move came after yesterday's 1-0 loss to the New York Mets: Outfielder Kory Casto will be recalled from Class AAA Columbus in time for tonight's game in San Diego.
Casto, who hit .172 in eight games with the Nationals earlier this month, hit .324 with four homers in 10 games with the Clippers. The Nationals will need to send another player down today, with outfielder Michael Restovich -- 0 for his last 15 -- a prime candidate.
Williams initially hurt his ankle while batting in Saturday's 6-2 loss to the New York Mets, then aggravated it while sliding into second base. His regular turn in the rotation would have been Thursday, which the Nationals have off, so the club won't need a fifth starter until May 8 in Milwaukee. Williams, who had his best outing of the year against the Mets, won't be eligible to come off the disabled list until May 14.
"I felt like I was finally going to go forward and get out of this funk that I was in," Williams said. "And now this. So you know what? All you can do is get better and get back."
Manager Manny Acta said the team hasn't determined who will take Williams's spot in the rotation, though by that point, right-hander Jason Simontacchi almost certainly will be ready. Simontacchi, who is currently with Columbus as he works his way back from a strained groin, must throw 90 to 100 pitches before he is deemed ready for the majors, Acta said.
Mourning a Former Teammate
Nationals Ronnie Belliard, Austin Kearns, Felipe Lopez and Ryan Wagner were all teammates, at one point or another, of St. Louis pitcher Josh Hancock, who was killed in a car accident early yesterday.
"It kind of leaves you speechless," Kearns said. All the former teammates said Hancock, 29, kept to himself.
"He was a quiet guy," Lopez said. "It's a sad day."
