Matt Chico News

I'm pleased with the Nationals' moves this offseason, but I've grown to really like players such as Tyler Clippard, Matt Chico, Wil Nieves and Jason Bergmann.

Ever since the Washington Nationals settled in the nation's capitol in 2005, the franchise has consistently been the laughing stock of the National League East, and at times even the entire Major Leagues.

Mike Rizzo is all smiles here, and is hoping for some more good news tonight. AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez Mike Rizzo is busily finishing some last-minute Christmas shopping, it appears.

PITCHING: General manager Mike Rizzo is trying hard to improve the rotation and bullpen.

After watching his team drop 103 games this past season, it's pretty clear what general manager Mike Rizzo has to do to improve the Nationals: acquire quality pitching.

I recently read about the September callups for the Nationals. I was shocked not to see Matt Chico's name on the list.

Posted by GEOFF MORROW, Of The Patriot-News Friday September 04, 2009, 12:02 AM Categories: Baseball - Harrisburg Senators Joel Guzman made the final game at the old version of Metro Bank Park a memorable one , as his deep RBI single to the left-field wall with two outs in the bottom of the ninth lifted the host Harrisburg Senators to a 4-3 victory ...

The Washington Nationals got the third opinion on Jordan Zimmermann's elbow that they had been waiting for, and it confirmed Tuesday what the first two had said - the right-hander needs Tommy John surgery.

Yamaico Navarro of Portland turns a double play on a hit by Leonard Davis of Harrisburg Friday, July 31, 2009.

WHO: Reading Phillies . WHEN: 7 p.m. today and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, noon Monday.

Luis Atilano will pitch Friday's series opener against the Reading Phillies. WHO: Reading Phillies .

Rain forced the postponement of Wednesday night's Eastern League game between the visiting Harrisburg Senators and host Connecticut Defenders.

Leonard Davis ripped two of Harrisburg's four home runs as the Senators doubled up Erie 10-5 Saturday night before 5,854 at Metro Bank Park.

Willie Harris didn't become a regular in the Washington Nationals' lineup last season until June 23, when his batting average stood at .161. From that point on, he hit .279, belted 10 homers and became the Nationals' most consistent offensive performer.

Former Harrisburg Senators pitcher Matt Chico will pitch in Harrisburg Friday night as part of his minor league rehab work, a report on the Washington Nationals' Web site said Tuesday night.

The Nationals traded left-hander Michael O'Connor to the Padres for a player to be named on Wednesday.

Berkeley Post 14 swept a doubleheader against Grantsville Post 214 on Sunday at P.O. Faulkner Park.

Matt Chico and Patrick McCoy combined on a four-hit shutout as the Hagerstown Suns defeated the Delmarva Shorebirds 6-0 on Sunday in a South Atlantic League game at Municipal Stadium.

After throwing three scoreless innings in a rehabilitation start Tuesday with Class A Potomac, Scott Olsen will make his next start with Class AAA Syracuse.