Major League Baseball has suspended 26-year old righty reliever Zech Zinicola for 50 games for his second violation of the minor league drug prevention and treatment program. He tested positive for a drug of abuse. Zinicola pitched in 32 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 3-0 with 5 saves, a 2.01 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He has now pitched in 228 games (0 starts) in his first six years in the minors and he is 18-15 with 49 saves, a 4.05 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. This is a bad break for Zinicola, as he pitched really well last year. It’s hard to feel too sorry for him though as he did this to himself.

The Nationals have released 27-year old righty reliever Adam Carr. Carr pitched in 17 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Nationals this year and he was 2-2 with a 6.63 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP. He has now pitched in 216 games (11 starts) in his first six years in the minors and he is 21-20 with 44 saves, a 4.41 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. This is no loss for the Nationals.

23-year old righty swinging 2B Jeff Kobernus came into this season as the Nationals’ #21 ranked prospect according to Baseball America. He is finally showing why so far this year. He has played in 106 games in AAA-ball so far this year and he is 111 for 414 (.268 avg, .668 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 5 homers, 38 RBIs and 43 stolen bases. Kobernus has now played in 190 games in his first three years in the minors and he is 207 for 767 (.270 avg, .657 OPS) with 99 runs scored, 6 homers, 82 RBIs and 68 stolen bases. I don’t think that Danny Espinosa has to look over his shoulder quite yet, but Kobernus might get brought along more quickly now with the way he has played so far this year.

The Nationals have released 28-year old lefty starter/reliever Matt Chico. Chico pitched in 27 games (2 starts) in Rookie+AA+AAA-ball this year and he was 3-4 with 1 save, a 5.87 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. In his three years in the majors for the Nationals, Chico was 7-15 with a 4.95 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. Chico just hasn’t been the same since shoulder surgery a couple of years ago.

26-year old lefty swinging outfielder Bill Rhinehart is having a solid year in the minors for the Nationals. Rhinehart has played in 72 games in AA-ball so far this year and he is 60 for 214 (.280 avg, .980 OPS) with 47 runs scored, 17 homers, 43 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 512 games in his first five years in the minors and he is 457 for 1,755 (.260 avg, .785 OPS) with 239 runs scored, 69 homers, 294 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. Rhinehart could get promoted to AAA soon if he keeps hitting like he is right now.