Nationals Finally Proving Baseball can work in D. C.?

Washington manager Davey Johnson is predicting that his Nats - one of the earliest surprises in this young baseball season - are transforming D. C. into a baseball town.  But that optimism may end quickly, as RF Jayson Werth (hip), LF Mike Morse (lat), and RHP Drew Storen (elbow) are all on the disabled list, and 3B Ryan Zimmerman (shoulder) appears to be heading in that direction.  Johnson should be worried about more than just turning Washington into a baseball town for the first time since before the Redskins existed though, considering that he said earlier this year that he should be fired if his team doesn't make the playoffs.

Morse out for six Weeks

Washington LF Michael Morse has suffered a relapse of his torn lat and was not able to return for the teams home opener yesterday.  Surgery is not an option and he is expected to be out for another six weeks.  Morse's injury will not effect the promotion time table of top prospect OF Bryce Harper, with IF/OF Mark DeRosa, OF Xavier Nady, and OF Roger Bernadina expected to fill in for him in left field.

In other Nationals news, RHP Drew Storen successfully underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow on Wednesday and is expected to pitch this season.