The Nationals have placed 28-year old lefty starting pitcher Tom Gorzelanny on the 15-day disabled list with a case of left elbow inflammation. Gorzelanny has pitched in 9 games (all starts) for the Nationals so far this year and he is 2-4 with a 4.25 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. He has given up only 45 hits (but 11 of them are homers) in his first 53 innings this year while whiffing 48 batters. This is going to hurt the Nationals unless whoever they call up from the minors does a good job while Gorzelanny is out of action.

Starting 2B Danny Espinosa has had a really rough time so far in May. He has played in 23 games in May so far this year and he is 13 for 77 (.169 avg, .696 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 4 homers, 12 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Espinosa has now played in 49 games this year for the Nationals and he is 33 for 165 (.200 avg, .694 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 6 homers, 27 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He has whiffed 40 times already this year but that’s the price the Nationals pay for his power. Despite his issues making contact and hitting for average, Espinosa has maintained his power which is very impressive for a 2B.

Righty closer Jeff Reardon had a solid career with the Montreal Expos. His best season with them came back in 1985. Reardon pitched in 63 games (0 starts) for the Expos that year and he was 2-8 with 41 saves (led the majors), a 3.18 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He was an All-Star in 1985 and he finished in 7th place in the voting for the Cy Young Award. Reardon pitched in 359 games (0 starts) in his six years with the Expos and he was 32-37 with 152 saves, a 2.84 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. Reardon is the all-time leader in saves for the Nationals/Expos.

23-year old righty reliever Elvin Ramirez will miss the rest of the season due to shoulder surgery. He was a Rule 5 Draft Pick off the Mets’ roster last Winter, so the Nationals will have to keep Ramirez on the active roster for the first two months of next season or they will have to offer him back to the Mets. Ramirez did not pitch at all this year for the Nationals. He pitched in 52 games (0 starts) in A+AA-ball last year for the Mets and he was 4-4 with a 4.16 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP.

The Nationals have placed 31-year old lefty swinging starting 1B Adam LaRoche on the 15-day disabled list due to a torn labrum in his left shoulder. LaRoche has played in 43 games so far this year for the Nationals and he is 26 for 151 (.172 avg, .546 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 3 homers, 15 RBIs and 1 stolen base. The Nationals hope that rest will help LaRoche, because if he has surgery on his shoulder, he will likely be done for the year. 29-year old righty swinging Mike Morse will come in from the outfield to replace LaRoche at 1B. Morse has played in 38 games for the Nationals so far this year and he is 28 for 105 (.267 avg, .673 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 3 homers, 12 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

UPDATE: (6/15/2011) - LaRoche is going to undergo season ending surgery tomorrow to his left shoulder.