Rizzo, Acta on Dukes demotion
Acting GM Mike Rizzo and manager Manny Acta spoke to the media prior to this afternoon's game about the decision to send outfielder Elijah Dukes to Triple-A Syracuse.
Mike Rizzo and Manny Acta explain sending Elijah Dukes to the minors
"His reaction was fine, he took it like a professional," Rizzo said. "He didn't say much, asked a couple of questions at the end of it, but we told him it was a baseball decision. He's a young, up and coming player and he needs to get his consistent at bats and I didn't see the every day at bats at the Major League level with the addition of Nyjer Morgan and with Adam [Dunn] playing in left and with [Josh] Willingham swinging the bat very well in right field. I don't see every day at bats for him. He had options left so he's the guy that goes down and gets every day at bats in the Minor Leagues and get himself back on track."
Acta reiterated Rizzo's comments.
"It's strictly a baseball move," he said. "He was not going to get enough playing time here the way [Josh] Willingham is swinging the bat in right field and with the trade of Nyjer [Morgan] being able to play center field for us. He needs at bats so we're going to send him down there to play every day. We don't want to have him up here and not play him."
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People of Syracuse your attention please. Be warned the great bear cometh. Hide the women, children(some could be his!!) and secure your pets.
Wow - the Nats outfield situation became much clearer in the last 24 hours. Kudos to Rizzo and Acta for making the tough decisions. I think the message is loud and clear. If you don't hussle and conduct yourself professionally, you have no place on the team.
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It's Rizzo still cleaning up the mess left by Jim Bowden. Things are looking up. Pete