Nationals Designate RHP Jason Bergmann For Assignment

Needing a fifth starter, the Nationals called Scott Olsen up from the minors yesterday.

Adding a fifth starter meant that the team needed to go from its early-season eight-man bullpen to a seven-man relief corps.

The odd man out was thought to be rookie LHP Jesse English, but English impressed the Nationals the day before by throwing 2 2/3 scoreless innings in a game where the team’s other hurlers gave up 14 runs in 6 1/3.

That was enough for the Nationals to decide to hang on to English, who went from Double-A last year to the majors this year, and axe Bergmann, an off-and-on member of the team since 2005 in various roles.

Bergmann allowed four earned runs in just 2 1/3 innings this year.

The righthander made 50 starts and 105 relief appearances with the Nationals in six seasons, posting a 12-24 record, 5.04 ERA, and 5.08 FIP.

The 28-year-old throws an 88-92 mph fastball, average 83-85 mph slider, and a plus curveball that ranges from 76-79 mph that he uses as his out pitch.