Sean Burnett News

Right-hander Matt Capps has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Nationals, pending a physical, according to Capps and his agent, Paul Kinzer.

Closer Matt Capps wouldn't go so far Tuesday as to say a return to Pittsburgh is out of the question, but it certainly sounded less than likely as the former Pirates stopper moved closer to signing elsewhere.

Facing the midnight Saturday deadline to offer contracts to arbitration-eligible players, the Washington Nationals decided to cut ties with Scott Olsen and Mike MacDougal, pitchers coming off near-opposite seasons.

By non-tendering Olsen and MacDougal -- the former a starter who never fulfilled his promise; the latter a closer who exceeded all expectations -- the Nationals trimmed two veterans from a pitching staff thin on experience. But they also spared themselves from committing several million dollars to a pair with injury concerns. Olsen is coming off shoulder surgery, and MacDougal is coming off hip surgery.

As the winter meetings begin Monday, the Nationals have identified several areas where they'll be looking to improve their roster.

Should we start being concerned about the durability and toughness of right-hander Stephen Strasburg? It seems every week or so he is being scratched for some reason or another? -- Kerm S., Gettysburg, Pa.

It could be the busiest offseason in Nationals history, and if the Nyjer Morgan/Sean Burnett trade was any indication, look for general manager Mike Rizzo to improve the team in a big way.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig strenuously denied that the Pittsburgh Pirates were emphasizing profits over victories, and said the idea that the franchise ownership was pocketing revenue was "economic myth." Baseball commissioner Bud Selig strenuously denied that the Pittsburgh Pirates were emphasizing profits over victories, and said the idea ...

With one week remaining in the Washington Nationals' season, shortstop Cristian Guzman might have played his final game in the field and reliever Sean Burnett his final game on the mound.

Guzman could be used as a pinch hitter in select situations, interim manager Jim Riggleman said before Saturday's loss to the Atlanta Braves, but his 'tender' right shoulder could keep him from playing shortstop again in 2009. He has not been throwing during pregame activities. Because he cannot take the field, his pinch-hitting opportunities would be limited to a pitcher's at-bat. Riggleman has not ruled out shutting down the veteran for the remainder of the season.

Nearly three weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Pirates guaranteed themselves of becoming the first major North American pro sports team to endure 17 consecutive losing seasons.

When Washington Nationals reliever Sean Burnett took a comebacker off his left thumb against the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug.

Chances are, the Washington Nationals won't transform henceforth into a 99-loss juggernaut, finishing their season with 12 consecutive wins, avoiding the indignity of triple digits. One more loss, and they've got 100 of them. Perhaps it's inevitable. Perhaps it's been inevitable since April.

But if the Nationals somehow go crazy, not losing again until 2010, it'll be no less improbable than Wednesday night's 5-4 victory over Los Angeles -- a celebration of microscopic odds, turned right.

The Nationals, down 3-0, were under the no-hit spell of Chad Billingsley until the sixth inning. Their relievers in a tie game walked leadoff men in the seventh and eighth innings, allowing no runs. Their go-ahead run in the top of the eighth came only when the Dodgers botched a routine fly ball and an inning-ending double play. They entered the bottom of the ninth tied only because relievers Sean Burnett and Sa?l Rivera retired Los Angeles's 3-4-5 hitters with the bases loaded and no outs.

One day after Marco Estrada made his first Major League start, there is some uncertainty surrounding the Nationals' rotation.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo revamped the bullpen twice this season because the relievers had problems getting hitters out.

Do you think Jim Riggleman deserves to be the full-time manager of the Nationals? -- Kevin H., New York There is no doubt in my mind.

When signing with the St. Louis Cardinals , was told he would make two starts for his new club with no guarantees beyond those outings.

Already in trouble before what they considered a crucial homestand, the Chicago Cubs promptly dropped two of three to the worst team in the major leagues.

Of all the trades that were made so far this season, do you think that acquiring Nyjer Morgan was one of the best ones? -- Bill D., Cromwell, Conn.

As the Cubs' season circled closer to the drain Thursday, Milton Bradley remained at the epicenter, starting his day at the ballpark with a meeting with general manager Jim Hendry and finishing it by claiming beat writers ''twisted'' what he said Wednesday about racist treatment at Wrigley Field.

After hemming and hawing over the configuration of their starting rotation for their upcoming series with the Chicago Cubs , the Washington Nationals decided to leave it the way they originally planned it.

After hemming and hawing over the configuration of their starting rotation for their upcoming series with the Chicago Cubs , the Washington Nationals decided to leave it the way they originally planned it.