24-year old righty reliever Tyler Clippard is stepping up for the Nationals. He was a starting pitcher in the minors for the Yankees but he appears to like his new role which he is excelling at. Clippard has pitched in 25 games (0 starts) for the Nationals this season and he is 2-1 with a 2.56 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. Clippard has only allowed 21 hits in 38 2/3 innings this season while whiffing 45 batters as his stuff seems much better in the shorter stints in games out of the bullpen. The Nationals hope he keeps up the good work and finishes the season strongly.

The Nationals have traded 34-year infielder Ronnie Belliard to the Dodgers for 22-year old righty reliever Luis Garcia and a player to be named later. Belliard played in 86 games for the Nationals this season and he was 46 for 187 (.246 avg, .670 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 5 homers, 22 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Belliard played three seasons in Washington appearing in 329 games in which he was 279 for 994 (.281 avg) with 120 runs scored, 27 homers, 126 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. This was a good move for the Nationals as Belliard wasn’t likely coming back to them next season. With that in mind it’s always good to move a guy like that (if you are out of playoff contention) for young pitching. Luis Garcia has pitched in 34 games (0 starts) in A-ball this season and he is 5-3 with 5 saves, a 2.92 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. The thing that really jumps off the stat page with Garcia is the fact that he has only walked 15 batters in 71 innings this season.

The Nationals have lost 29-year old lefty swinging outfielder Nyjer Morgan for the season due to a fractured left hand. Morgan played in 49 games for the Nationals this season after coming over from Pittsburgh and he was 67 for 191 (.351 avg, .831 OPS) with 35 runs scored, 1 homer, 12 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. Morgan finished up the season playing in 120 games for the Nationals and Pirates in which he was 144 for 469 (.307 avg, .757 OPS) with 74 runs scored, 3 homers, 39 RBIs and 42 stolen bases. Morgan is the Nationals’ leadoff hitter of the future so getting him from Pittsburgh was a outstanding move.

The Nationals have signed 34-year old righty starting pitcher Livan Hernandez to a 1-year contract. Hernandez pitched in 23 games (all starts) for the Mets and he was 7-8 with a 5.47 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. He also started a game this week for the Nationals working six solid innings allowing only 2 earned runs and getting a no decision. Hernandez has now pitched in 406 games (405 starts) in his major league career and he is 154-147 with a 4.43 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Hernandez doesn’t miss many bats as hitters have a career batting average of .284 but he is an innings eater which is one thing that the Nationals need. Hernandez is also open to re-signing with the Nationals over the winter as a free agent.

The Nationals have designated 27-year old righty reliever Logan Kensing for assignment. Kensing pitched in 17 games (0 starts) for the Nationals this season and he was 0-1 with a 10.71 ERA and a 2.02 WHIP. The Nationals had to get rid of Kensing based on how horrible he was pitching and they will be much better off without him.