Drew Storen reacts after losing closer role to Jonathan Papelbon

By Josh Land

Nationals

July 28, 2015, 7:12pm

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MIAMI - Following tonight's 4-1 loss to the Marlins, Drew Storen reacted for the first time to the news that he lost his closer role when the Nationals acquired veteran right-hander Jonathan Papelbon from the Phillies earlier in the day.

"Really, all I'm gonna say is that obviously I'm aware of the move," Storen said. "I've talked to (Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo) about it. I've talked to my agent. We've had some ongoing discussions. Until those have progressed, I'm just gonna leave it at that and no comment for now. But as the situation goes, I'll keep you guys posted."

Storen's frustrations are understandable and justified. The 27-year-old has saved 29 of 31 opportunities this season with a 1.73 ERA.

Speaking during the game, Rizzo laid out the Nationals plans.

"Papelbon is our ninth-inning pitcher," he said. "Drew will pitch the ninth inning at times when Papelbon's not available and be our set-up guy in the eighth inning as we constructed today."

Nationals manager Matt Williams offered his thoughts on Storen's transition and his new closer after the loss.

"We want to make our team better, so it provides us opportunity to do that," Williams said. "It's not easy, but Pap's gonna pitch the ninth. All-Star closer. Been in pressure situations his whole career, so we're happy to have him."

Right-hander Casey Janssen saved 81 games for the Blue Jays the past three seasons before the Nationals signed him in January to be Storen's set-up man in the eighth. It never quite panned out that way after Janssen suffered right shoulder inflammation in spring training, which shelved the former closer until late May. Now his role is unclear.

"I wouldn't say it's shocking," Janssen said. "I kinda figured we'd probably get some late-inning arm. I didn't know if it was gonna be a set-up guy or a closer. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out from here. Hopefully, it gives the skipper quite a few options and a guy that he trusts down there late in the game."