Nationals Reliever Bergmann Sent Down After Poor Outing

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 14 -- Until this three-game series against Tampa Bay, Jason Bergmann deserved at least some credit for stabilizing the Washington Nationals' bullpen. Then came the middle game of this series, where Bergmann deserved much of the credit for a single loss. His one appearance against the Rays -- his 14th of the season -- inflated his ERA from 3.77 to 6.91.

It will be his last big league appearance, at least for the time being.

After Sunday's game, team officials indicated to Bergmann that he will be demoted to Class AAA Syracuse in advance of Tuesday's game against the Yankees. By that point, right-handed pitcher Kip Wells (right adductor strain) will be ready to return from the disabled list. Wells, who has a 6.26 ERA in 19 appearances (23 innings) with the Nationals, is finishing up a rehab assignment with Class A Potomac.

A Surprise Draft Pick

On Tuesday, the Nationals used their third-round pick -- No. 81 overall -- in the amateur draft to select Trevor Holder, a University of Georgia senior who had a 7-5 record and a 4.48 ERA this year. Holder hadn't been ranked by Baseball America among the top 200 prospects, and even Holder himself didn't think he'd be drafted so high. On Tuesday night, when the draft began with the first three rounds, Holder was watching the NBA Finals.

"You know, I was just extremely excited, and shocked, honestly," Holder said. "I felt like I won the lottery, honestly. It was the coolest thing in the world. I just wasn't expecting it at all. I had an idea I would go somewhat early, but no idea it would be in the third round."

But the Nationals, who'd tracked Holder since high school, had five years of information on him and liked what they saw. Under former general manager Jim Bowden, Washington often preferred the unknown -- high schoolers, players you could project as something great. Under acting GM Mike Rizzo, Washington likes a track record. This year, seven of the team's first 10 picks were college players. In 2006, before Rizzo joined the organization, the team's first six picks were high schoolers.

"[Jim] liked those high-ceiling, toolsy guys," Rizzo said. "I like them, too. But I like them in a certain round."

The team also liked the idea of signing Holder quickly, and at a discount rate. On Friday, just before moving out of his apartment in Athens, Ga., Holder agreed to his first professional contract, which included a $200,000 bonus; the previous year, pick Nos. 80-82 all signed for between $490,000 and $525,000.