Nationals reliever Chad Cordero is expected to be sidelined at least a month with a tear in a muscle below his pitching shoulder, although the team determined Wednesday he won't need surgery. For now, Jon Rauch will be the closer and the main setup man Luis Ayala. "With injuries come opportunity. Injuries you hate to see in the game, and our prayers are with Chad. But it's part of the game, and what injuries do is it gives other people opportunities," GM Jim Bowden said. "Here's Jon Rauch's chance to be a closer in the big leagues. Here's Luis Ayala's chance to be the eighth-inning guy to set him up." (Updated 04/30/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/16/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Ayala is accustomed to the setup role since he was one before undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2006. Ayala has a 3.14 ERA this season, but still hasn't looked much like the dominant reliever pre-surgery. Ayala will serve as a viable setup man and can be used as a true middle reliever in Fantasy. He might even see a few save chances. (Updated 04/30/2008).
No information available at this time.
Nationals reliever Chad Cordero is expected to be sidelined at least a month with a tear in a muscle below his pitching shoulder, although the team determined Wednesday he won't need surgery. For now, Jon Rauch will be the closer and the main setup man Luis Ayala. "With injuries come opportunity. Injuries you hate to see in the game, and our prayers are with Chad. But it's part of the game, and what injuries do is it gives other people opportunities," GM Jim Bowden said. "Here's Jon Rauch's chance to be a closer in the big leagues. Here's Luis Ayala's chance to be the eighth-inning guy to set him up." (Updated 04/30/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/16/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Ayala is accustomed to the setup role since he was one before undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2006. Ayala has a 3.14 ERA this season, but still hasn't looked much like the dominant reliever pre-surgery. Ayala will serve as a viable setup man and can be used as a true middle reliever in Fantasy. He might even see a few save chances. (Updated 04/30/2008).
= probable start
