Chad Cordero's "Heater"

[AutographCollector]

Last night's game vs the Mets in the bottom of the 8th inning "The Chief" came in to pitch. His fastball topped out at 79 mph. Ummm... for a closer that is a tad bit too slow. Does he need to be sent back down AAA to rehab that shoulder of his?

[Peorgie T]

Last night's game vs the Mets in the bottom of the 8th inning "The Chief" came in to pitch. His fastball topped out at 79 mph. Ummm... for a closer that is a tad bit too slow. Does he need to be sent back down AAA to rehab that shoulder of his?

Who knows at this point? They say that there isn't anything structurally wrong, but this came on so suddenly, there must be something going on in there. I don't know if a trip to Columbus will be of much help.

[d33ps]

i was watching as well, either this guy is still hiding some sort of injury, or he just needs some more time to get back to his 88-92 fastball. After seeing him hit 78-79 for the bulk of his pitches, i saw a few 81's at the end there, i hope he's alright.

[Extra Innings]

Thats not very closeresque when your fastball tops out around 80. He may have been rushed to return. Possibly a trade could be looming? I'll be surprised if Cordero or Rauch are still on the team by the end of the season.

[Peorgie T]

Thats not very closeresque when your fastball tops out around 80. He may have been rushed to return. Possibly a trade could be looming? I'll be surprised if Cordero or Rauch are still on the team by the end of the season.

For now, they're going to bring him back slowly, having him play catch in between days that he'd be available to pitch (hopefully in non-crucial situations). I don't think there will be a trade any time soon, with the state of the Nats' bullpen this season. So far, Rauch has proven he's not closer material; he even almost made a 6 run lead in the 9th into a nail biter last night.

[d33ps]

RHP Chad Cordero came out of the game Tuesday night after straining his right latissimus muscle on a fastball in the ninth inning, and the closer, who started the season on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis, expects to return to the DL. "Hopefully it doesn't take too long. Maybe three weeks or so, or four weeks," Cordero said. "If that's what they want to do, I'd be more than happy to do that. There's no sense in me going back out there with a strained lat, especially with the way my shoulder is right now. I could probably use a couple weeks off, just to make sure everything is all right."

[Peorgie T]

He'll miss 4-6 weeks with a torn shoulder adductor (whatever that is).

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

This doesn't look good, should he just tank the year and get ready for next year?

It's obvious he won't be able to bring it for now with these issues.

[nextnatspitcher12]

Damn, Cordero is probably gonna get traded. This sucks, he used to be one of my favorite pitchers. But, Oh well, thats the MLB

[AutographCollector]

Damn, Cordero is probably gonna get traded. This sucks, he used to be one of my favorite pitchers. But, Oh well, thats the MLB

If a team does take him (via trade or if he is just outright released) he would more than likely be sent to the minors to rehab. Or he'll just be on the DL for the remainder of the season.

if he is gone, who would take his place that is on the team now? Ray King? Wasn't he closer with another team before?

[riredsox]

I hope this doesn't turn into another John Patterson-case. That would suck, losing your ace and closer before the All-Star break.

[Peorgie T]

Calling Patterson an ace was largely wishful thinking given the number of innings he pitched in the last three seasons.