The Washington Nationals have released 29-year old lefty swinging outfielder Corey Patterson. Patterson played in 5 games for the Nationals and he was 2 for 15 (.133 avg, .266 OPS) with 2 stolen bases. The Nationals won’t miss Patterson at all as they have a very deep outfield.

The Washington Nationals should keep outfielder Josh Willingham unless a team comes to them with some legit pitching prospects who are close to contributing at the major league level. Willingham cranked two grandslams in yesterday’s game as he is on a power surge. Willingham has played in 76 games for the Nationals this season and he is 68 for 228 (.296 avg, 1.006 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 16 homers, 39 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Willingham is not a good defensive player but he can really swing the bat.

The Nationals have lost lefty starting pitcher Scott Olsen for the season due to surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder. Olsen started 11 games for the Nationals this season and he was 2-4 with a 6.03 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP. He was tuly awful this season allowing 83 hits (11 of which were homers) in 62 2/3 innings.

The Nationals have designated 36-year old righty reliever Julian Tavarez for assignment. He pitched in 42 games (0 starts) for the Nationals this season and he was 3-7 with 1 save, a 4.89 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP. Tavarez blew his chance with the Nationals by walking 27 batters in only 35 innings.

The Nationals had to do something with the team 26-61 and 22.5 games out of first place in the National League East so they fired manager Manny Acta. Make no mistake Acta deserved to get the axe as he has compiled a 158-252 record (38.5% wins) in his 2.5 years on the job in Washington. 56-year old Jim Riggleman will replace Acta as the interim manager. He has a career record as a major league manager of 522-652 (44.5% wins) so don’t expect miracles out of him the rest of the way.