Despite grievance, Rizzo says Nationals would welcome Papelbon back (with video)

NASHVILLE - A report surfaced late Sunday night that closer Jonathan Papelbon had filed a grievance against the Nationals for withholding his pay during a team-imposed four-game suspension at the end of the season. FOXSports.com reported this afternoon that the Major League Baseball Players Association actually filed the grievance shortly after the Nationals announced the suspension.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo announced Papelbon's suspension on Sept. 28, a day after the veteran reliever instigated a dugout brawl with Bryce Harper and placed his left hand on the slugger's throat.

Speaking today inside a room at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Conference Center, Rizzo addressed the grievance for the first time.

"We knew about that the day after we suspended him, that there was gonna be a grievance," Rizzo said. "That's business. It's not personal between Papelbon and the Nationals or the Nationals to Papelbon. It's all about business and it's something that we've known about for a long time."

Rizzo said the Nationals won't speak about the grievance process, indicating that the Major League Baseball Players Association "does this routinely."

Teams have been inquiring about Papelbon, according to Rizzo. But the door is also wide open for Papelbon to return to Washington in 2016 - unless you believe Rizzo is simply painting a brighter picture to hopefully set up a trade.

"Pap's a part of this team," Rizzo said. "He's on our roster. He's a really good late-inning pitcher. He's had a great career. He's a great pitcher. We're glad he's on the club and can't wait to see him closing out games again."

Most believe Rizzo plans to move right-hander Drew Storen and Papelbon in an effort to overhaul the bullpen this winter. Again, Rizzo didn't dismiss both relievers handling high-leverage situations for the Nationals next season.

"They're both highly talented, extremely competitive, very good relief pitchers," Rizzo said. "If that's your eighth-inning and ninth-inning guys, we feel comfortable with that."

Papelbon is owed $11 million in 2016, but Rizzo said the possibility of having to eat a large chunk of money will not prevent the Nationals from making a deal with any player.