T.J.

Tucker

Tucker has been decent more often than not, but when struggles, he has a tough time getting anyone out. Of the pitchers sent down today, he should be the first to return to the majors.

Tucker, 26, had a 3.72 ERA in 67 2/3 IP last season. He’ll remain a middle reliever and spot starter for the Nationals.

Tucker has apparently been bothered by the injury for some time. He was 1-0 with a 6.39 ERA in 13 appearances.

It might be Tucker who replaces John Patterson on the Nationals’ roster. The team won’t add a 25th man until Friday.

Tucker has had Esteban Loaiza teaching him a cutter while also working on a change-up. Until now, Tucker has been strictly fastball-slider. Tucker’s been knocked around a bit this spring as he works on the new weapons.

Tucker didn’t have his usual fastball after returning from a strained groin last month. ''When I came off the DL, I was throwing 88, 89 [mph], but I had nothing on the ball. It was like a dead arm. I couldn’t throw the slider,’' Tucker said. ''No sense going out there and hurting the team. I’ll sit here rehabbing and cheer for these guys.’'

Tucker is out for the season following Tommy John surgery.

Tucker had pitched four scoreless innings for Triple-A New Orleans on his rehab assignment. He’ll go back to working in middle relief.

Tucker, who was expected to miss two to four weeks with a right groin strain, will hit the five-week mark on Wednesday. It’s likely that he’ll make several appearances with the Zephyrs before returning from the DL.

The Expos could decide to pull Tucker from the rotation for the final week, but there probably isn’t anyone they want to replace him with. Claudio Vargas, who pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief today, isn’t quite ready to start games.