Nats release John Patterson

[KingJ]

Wow, stunning, amazing, 2005 was so long ago!


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http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080320&content_id=2446486&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=was&partnered=rss_was

VIERA, Fla. -- Right-handed pitcher John Patterson was released by the Nationals on Thursday based on the pitcher's lack of performance.
Patterson last pitched on Sunday against the Orioles, a game in which he gave up eight runs. He was 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA in nine innings this spring.

"They told me I didn't blow the doors open and that there were other pitchers pitching better," Patterson said.

Patterson had been in the organization since 2004. His best season was in 2005, when he went 9-7 with a 3.13 ERA in 31 starts.

[Peorgie T]

After getting shelled his last time out, I think they realized his velocity wasn't going to improve any time soon, and since his contract wasn't guaranteed, they decided to cut him loose so they could add another player to the 40 man roster. I wish him luck.

[AutographCollector]

Heard this on XM radio coming home from work.

The Nats wanted his fastball to top out around 90ish by now. It was topping out around 84-85 mph range. Obviously not feasible.

Shawn Hill is now the Nationals ace of the staff. Sounds like trouble to me.

[Peorgie T]

Shawn Hill is now the Nationals ace of the staff. Sounds like trouble to me.

It's sad when a team's staff is so threadbare that they go two years calling Patterson their ace when he had a career 18-25 record. Hill has now taken Patterson's place as the pitcher who shows flashes of brilliance, but can't get healthy. Makes you wonder how patient they will be with him.

[Imgran]

It's sad when a team's staff is so threadbare that they go two years calling Patterson their ace when he had a career 18-25 record. Hill has now taken Patterson's place as the pitcher who shows flashes of brilliance, but can't get healthy. Makes you wonder how they manage to ruin his health too

Fixed that for ya. The Spos/Nats ignored conventional wisdom about innings limits with Patterson and paid the price. Now let's hope it is NOT Hill's turn.

[nextnatspitcher12]

Where is John Patterson now?

[AutographCollector]

Where is John Patterson now?

He signed a minor league contract within the Texas Rangers minor league system. He threw a simulated game and felt soreness in his pitching shoulder. They sent him to Dallas for medical observation a few days ago.

[nextnatspitcher12]

Wow, after being proclaimed the best pitcher the Nationals had

[AutographCollector]

Wow, after being proclaimed the best pitcher the Nationals had

So who's the ace of the staff now? Redding? Lannan?

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

He's in the FA crop once again, the Rangers cut him loose a while ago because of another setback.