The Washington Nationals have a problem when it comes to their starting pitching.
They have too many worthy starters. It is certainly a decent problem to have for any major league ballclub.
With Chien-Ming Wang looming in the minors and his rehab stint nearing its end, the Nats are going to have to decide which of their overachieving starters will have to take the fall and move to the bullpen.
Manager Davey Johnson shed some light on the topic on Saturday.
Amanda Comak, the Nationals beat writer for the Washington Times tweeted,
Davey said today that he will most likely put Chien-Ming Wang in the bullpen when he’s ready to return to the active roster. #nats
— Amanda Comak (@acomak) May 19, 2012
The move will allow for Ross Detwiler (3-2, 2.75 ERA) to remain in the rotation for the Nats. Comak also reported that Wang will “work out of the bullpen on a starter’s schedule,” and that the Nats “would be mindful of his time to warm up.”
The abundance of starting pitching will allow the Nats the option to shut down Stephen Strasburg later in the year when he approaches the highly anticipated 160 innings mark.
Whether or not Wang waits around in the bullpen until that point in the season will be determined as the summer progresses.
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