John

Lannan

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has ties to Parra from his time as scouting director in Arizona, and the Nationals are looking for a defensive upgrade in center field to compete with Jayson Werth. Ladson speculates that left-hander John Lannan could be included in any potential deal. Parra is under team control until after the 2015 season.

Chien-Ming Wang’s injury can’t be blamed; Lannan entered the game to start the fifth inning, which was the plan going into the day. Because of Wang’s hamstring injury, Lannan now seems more likely to stick around with the Nats and begin the season in the rotation. Still, it’s not as though Wang’s status will force the Nats to keep Lannan; they still have Ross Detwiler in reserve.

His knee appeared to get the worst of it, but he also landed on his surgically-repaired shoulder. Wang struck out three over 2 2/3 scoreless innings before exiting. He was smiling in the dugout after being helped off the field, so hopefully he just gave the Nationals a good scare. John Lannan, who has been subject to trade rumors, would fill if he requires an extended absence. Stay tuned for an update.

Wang left Thursday’s start against the Yankees after stumbling awkwardly while trying to make a play at first base. It’s not known how long he’ll be sidelined, but John Lannan could replace him in the rotation if the injury delays his preparation for Opening Day.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post last week that he’s not actively shopping Lannan, but admitted that he had fielded “several calls” about the left-hander this spring. Rizzo will probably want to move Lannan’s entire $5 million salary for 2012, which could be a stumbling block. But there’s still time for Detroit or Boston to turn desperate.

Wang will begin the season on the disabled list after suffering a strained left hamstring on March 15. He’ll likely need around two or three minor league rehab starts, so there’s a chance he could return by the end of April. John Lannan will take his spot in the rotation for now.

Lannan requested a trade following his demotion to Triple-A, and although the Nats say they’re not dealing him, they’ll surely consider it if it makes sense. Wittenmyer adds that former Cub Tom Gorzelanny’s name has been involved in the talks, and Marlon Byrd has come up, as well. Byrd, in particular, would be a perfect fit, giving the Nats a solid bridge in center field until Bryce Harper is ready. He’s slated to make $6.5 million this season, while Lannan will pull in $5 million. Any deal would likely result in the Nats picking up most of the money involved.

Wang strained his left hamstring during his start last Thursday against the Yankees. He’s making progress, but Nationals’ manager Davey Johnson initially said he would likely be shut down for around two weeks. John Lannan would likely open the season in the rotation if he can’t get ready in time.

Lannan might have given up a couple of homers if not for the wind blowing in from right field, but he’ll take it. He had allowed seven runs through nine innings this spring.

Wang suffered a badly-strained left hamstring during a Grapefruit League outing last Thursday against the Yankees. “He’s got a lot of bleeding in there,” Johnson told reporters on Wednesday. It appears John Lannan will indeed open the 2012 regular season as Washington’s fifth starter.