Solis to have MRI, concern now lefty depth in bullpen

DENVER - Manager Dusty Baker announced that the club has placed left-hander Sammy Solis on the disabled list with left shoulder inflammation, retroactive to August 16. Solis pitched one inning Monday, picking up the victory in relief, allowing no runs and two hits.

But after the game Tuesday, Baker reported that Solis was feeling "soreness" in his left shoulder, and was not available in the rain-delayed marathon where left-handed starter Gio Gonzalez pitched only three innings.

And today the club called up right-hander Koda Glover for Solis. Baker confirmed Solis will have an MRI to check on his ailing shoulder.

"He's not doing as well as we hoped," Baker said. "We put him on the disabled list today. That's why he wasn't available last night. He's sore. He's had a number of like small little injuries that he's pitched through. So we're sending him back, to take an MRI this morning."

Solis' velocity has been down, but Baker didn't see that there was anything wrong because the southpaw doesn't whine.

"He doesn't say much. He has history of a few things," Baker said. "He doesn't complain. So how do you read a guy that doesn't complain? You'd wish everybody be like that, not complain, it be a much better world. He said he'll be OK. We're hoping the MRI comes back negative."

But now without Solis, a reliable and lethal lefty reliever, Oliver Perez is the only southpaw left in the bullpen. The Nationals began the season with three lefties in the pen. Will Baker have to make more adjustments if Solis is out for an extended period of time?

"It changes a lot. It'll depend on Sammy's health situation," Baker said. "It depends on what we have to do. It's tough with just one lefty. It's tough with one lefty. Especially everybody had a role and a job at the time. We had to give up one lefty to get (Mark) Melancon. So you can't have everything.

"I understand that Glover is pretty good at getting out lefties. We'll give him that opportunity. He got called up today. He's been throwing the ball well and he's a welcome sight. This place will wreak havoc on your bullpen. Hopefully we can come out of here, Stras can take us deep in the game, will us a getaway day victory and go into Atlanta."

Even through the club has Perez available, he has scuffled recently. In his last seven games, he has a 13.50 ERA. Perez knows it too, and has been working to find a solution.

"We realize he's struggling," Baker said. "You don't have to tell him. He knows he's struggling some. They've been working on some things. (Pitching coach) Mike Maddux and him been working on some things in the bullpen. But you can't work too hard because then you leave it in the bullpen and not be able to take it to the game. They'll figure it out."

Is it a mechanical issue for Perez?

"He's similar to (Ryan Zimmerman) where he has bunch of moving parts," Baker said. "You know what I mean? When it's together, it's together. I always say it's like that 12-cylinder engine. When it's running good, woo-wee! But when it's going out of tune, now you got problems.

"(He) and Mike are working on it. He's a veteran. They go in and out slumps, I don't like that word slump, like a hitter. Most of the time it's about walking people or it's about location."

But Baker also believes that his bullpen is still in a good place because his starters have consistently gone six or seven innings each game so the relievers are not as burdened like they have been to begin this series in Colorado.

"If you look I think our relievers have worked less than anybody almost in the league," Baker said. "That's why I think our relievers are going to be sharp down the stretch because we don't have many complete games but our starters take us generally six or seven innings which makes it easier for me to mix and match."

But one could also challenge this notion by Baker and say that maybe the bullpen just hasn't been tested like other clubs' relievers might have been at this late juncture of the season, and that could be trouble come October.

And if Solis cannot return quickly, what other options do the Nats have in their system who would be available right now to get lefty hitters out?

Left-hander Matt Grace has returned from an earlier injury and is pitching well at Triple-A Syracuse. The 27-year-old has 26 games of major league experience with Nats last season, going 2-1 with a 4.24 ERA over 17 innings.

He has made 11 appearances with the Chiefs since July 9, and has appeared in 30 games overall this season, going 1-3 with a 2.45 ERA.

Another postseason option might be to put left-hander Gonzalez in the bullpen, if Joe Ross can return healthy and be placed back in the starting rotation.

But the loss of Solis is critical, as he provides good velocity and can be a specialist, a late-inning choice or go long with his previous starting experience. The Nats have a concern in their bullpen as they search for ways to get lefties out the next few weeks.