Ready to close, Storen grateful for vote of confidence

Though Drew Storen struggled in his two postseasons, there won't be any closer controversy as the Nationals enter spring training. At the Winter Meetings in San Diego, general manager Mike Rizzo said that the right-hander would handle the ninth inning for the Nats in 2015. "Any guy throwing late in games wants to be closer, but think more important to have that vote of confidence from Matt (Williams) and management is great. It means a lot," Storen said. "It doesn't change my approach to anything." Barring a trade, the Nationals are slotted to have most of their bullpen from 2014 return. Storen would close, right-hander Tyler Clippard would work the eighth inning, and a combination of right-hander Craig Stammen and left-handers Jerry Blevins and Matt Thornton would take the sixth and seventh innings. Basically, it's the same way it shook out after Storen took over as closer in September when Rafael Soriano was removed from the job after struggling in the second half. Storen saved 10 games in September and helped the bullpen overcome Soriano's meltdown. But Storen and the Nats didn't perform well in the playoffs, something he regrets. And those postseason speed bumps came on the heels of the 2012 National League Division Series, when Storen blew a save in a decisive Game 5, coughing up a two-run lead in the ninth. "Tough taste in your month to end the year, but obviously, that's what fuels you for the next," he said. While pleased that Rizzo and Williams are comfortable with him handling the ninth inning - as he did in 2011, when he saved 43 games in 48 tries - he knows a closer's job comes with inherent risks and a short leash, especially on a team expected to contend for a second straight National League East crown. "(It comes) with the understanding that things can change quickly," Storen said. "It doesn't change my job if they came out and said, 'We're going to do ... Plan A, B or C,' it doesn't matter. Get ready and do my job. It doesn't change my job, but it's nice to have somebody come out and say positive comments about you."