Drew Storen Injury Update: Reliever Pitches Scoreless Inning In First 2012 Appearance

Washington Nationals reliever Drew Storen made his first major league appearance of the 2012 season Thursday afternoon, pitching a scoreless inning in a 9-5 loss to the New York Mets at Nationals.

Storen, who was recalled from the 15-day disabled list earlier in the day, retired David Wright, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and Jason Bay on nine pitches in the top of the 9th inning. Outfielder Rick Ankiel was designated for assignment to make room for Storen on the roster.

The right-hander had undergone successful surgery to remove a bone fragment from his elbow back in April. In 2011, he recorded 43 saves to go with a 6-3 record and a 2.75 ERA in 75.1 innings pitched.

Also Thursday, the Nationals recalled catcher Sandy Leon from the Harrisburg Senators of the Eastern League (AA) and placed Jhonatan Solano on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain.

For more on this transaction and all things Washington Nationals baseball, please check out Federal Baseball. For more from around the majors, visit Baseball Nation.

Rick Ankiel Designated For Assignment To Make Room For Drew Storen, According To Report

Via a report from Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Rick Ankiel has been designated for assignment by the Washington Nationals so the team can make room for pitcher Drew Storen who has been on the disabled list for the entire 2012 season so far.

Storen, the Nationals closer in 2011, finished in a tie for sixth in the MLB in saves with 43 and sported a 6-3 record with a 2.75 ERA. However, given the success of Tyler Clippard in Storen's absence there are questions whether or not Storen will assume that role once again.

After early season injuries to the outfield earned Ankiel some starts, he hasn't started much since. The .228 batting average, .282 on-base percentage, and .694 OPS from the 33-year old veteran wasn't enough for the NL-leading Nationals and will likely spell the end of his career with the team.

For more on this transaction and all things Washington Nationals baseball, please check out Federal Baseball. For more from around the majors, visit Baseball Nation.

Drew Storen Injury Update: Pitcher Headed To Viera, Florida On Return Path To Majors

After Saturday's 3-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles, Nationals manager Davey Johnson was asked about the closer's role, particularly what will occur when Drew Storen returns given Tyler Clippard's stellar performance at the end of games since taking over ninth inning duties. Johnson said Clippard would be his closer when Storen returns from his elbow injury, which it now seems could be by the end of this week.

Via James Wagner of the Washington Post:

Storen is headed down to Viera, Florida to pitch a heavier live BP. He says he'll rejoin the team in Atlanta. About 10 percent left for him.

— James Wagner (@JamesWagnerWP) June 24, 2012

As for the news he will no longer be the closer when he returns, Wagner tweets this from Storen:

Drew Storen says he understands this is a business & will do what's asked. "I have all the confidence in the world I can come back & close."

— James Wagner (@JamesWagnerWP) June 24, 2012

The Nationals begin a three game series in Atlanta on Friday, before returning home for six games against San Francisco and Colorado leading into the All-Star break.

For more on this injury and all things Washington Nationals baseball, please check out Federal Baseball. For more from around the majors, visit Baseball Nation.

Drew Storen Injury: Tyler Clippard Will Remain Closer When Storen Returns, According To Davey Johnson

The Washington Nationals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 on Saturday night, with yet another dominant performance from the pitching staff. Starter Edwin Jackson joined three rotation mates with an ERA lower than 3.00 on the year after his strong showing, and new closer Tyler Clippard shut the door for his twelfth save in twelve tries. Clippard's strong performance since being named stopper for Washington finally prompted manager Davey Johnson to discuss what will return when incumbent closer Drew Storen returns from an elbow injury.

Via Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, Johnson's thoughts on Clippard and the closer role:

"Right now he's my closer, and the way he's going I can't see going to somebody else," Johnson said. "They'd have to show me up here probably in a setup role before they have the opportunity to close."

Clippard has struck out 16 batters and allowed just one hit in 13 1/3 innings since taking over the ninth inning on May 22. Storen is still progressing through his rehab, finally facing live batters on Friday. The team hopes to have him back after the All-Star break.

For more on this injury and all things Washington Nationals baseball, please check out Federal Baseball. For more from around the majors, visit Baseball Nation.

Drew Storen Injury Update: Nationals May Have Closer Back In May

The Washington nationals have gotten off to a good start this season, but they have not been completely healthy while they do it. They have been without arguably their biggest bat in Michael Morse and the end of their bullpen in Drew Storen. Storen had surgery to remove bone chips in his throwing arm and now it appears that he could be back before June rolls around if his rehab goes according to schedule.

#Nats' Johnson said Storen should be back around the end of May. "All he has to prove is that when he comes back, he's healthy."

— Zac Boyer (@ZacBoyer) April 12, 2012

While it's never good to hear that a player has to have surgery and could be out for an extended period of time, bone chips is not as bad as it could have been; particularly after the news that Storen was being sent to Dr. James Andrews. This means that there is no structural damage to the ligaments in Storen's arm and that his return to the game could be relatively smooth.

For more on this injury and all things Washington Nationals baseball, please check outFederal Baseball. For more from around the majors, visit Baseball Nation.

Drew Storen Injury: Nats Closer Has Bone Fragment Removed From Elbow

The Washington Nationals got some updated news on closer Drew Storen, as he had to have some bone fragments removed from his elbow. This surgery confirmed the fear that the Nationals originally had with Storen's injury, that he needed surgery on the elbow

I was just informed that #Nats closer Drew Storen had minor elbow surgery today. The DRs removed a bone fragment from the elbow. #MLB

— William Ladson (@washingnats) April 11, 2012

The surgery was classified as minor, but according to William Ladson the Nationals expect to get Storen back into the lineup before the MLB All-Star break. Storen was originally placed on the 15-day DL to start the 2012 season retroactive to March 26, but with his surgery he will be out much longer than originally expected.

For more on this injury and all things Washington Nationals baseball, please check out Federal Baseball. For more from around the majors, visit Baseball Nation.

Drew Storen Injury: Nationals Closer To Visit Dr. James Andrews; Team Fears Bone Chips

When a professional athlete has to go see the legendary Dr. James Andrews, it usually means they have a serious medical issue and need to see the best in the business. Washington Nationals closer Drew Storen will be visiting Andrews after experiencing "tenderness" in his elbow after throwing a simulated game. According to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, the team fears Storen has a bone chip in his elbow.

At the moment, it is believed that Storen will not need Tommy John surgery. Amanda Comack of the Washington Times reported that the team found a "loose body" in the pticher's elbow. Kilgore noted that Storen had an arthrogram which should rule out Tommy John, but the soreness after resting for so long raised a red flag.

While not as serious as Tommy John surgery, bone chips are no small matter. They could require surgery, which would keep Storen on the shelf for some time.

For more on this injury and all things Washington Nationals baseball, please check out Federal Baseball. For more from around the majors, visit Baseball Nation.

Drew Storen Injury: Davey Johnson Confirms Closer Will Start Season On DL

Drew Storen has been out of Spring Training for a few weeks with tightness in his arm, and now it appears as though he won't be ready to start the season.