Mike Rizzo on trade for Matt den Dekker and bullpen health issues

JUPITER, Fla. - Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo had an active day as he sat a few rows from the field next to the third base dugout at Roger Dean Stadium.

In the sixth inning, he watched closer Drew Storen prematurely leave the game with a blister on his right big toe after facing four batters. That was after Rizzo had already found out news that right-hander Casey Janssen's MRI showed rotator cuff inflammation in his throwing shoulder.

"I don't see either one of them as serious injuries," Rizzo said. "A blister on his foot and Janssen's had the cuff irritation before, so he knows how to handle it. I think we'll be OK."

Rizzo said Janssen's previous shoulder issues - he had surgery in November 2013 and missed time in spring training last season with soreness - were not an issue when the team signed him as a free agent in late January.

"He knows how to take care of himself and get ready for the season," Rizzo said. "He's had this before. He knows how to battle through it."

Rizzo is apparently so confident in the depth of his bullpen that he shipped left-handed specialist Jerry Blevins to the Mets for outfielder Matt den Dekker in a trade that was announced late in today's game.

"Jerry had one year left on his deal and we traded him from a place of depth for a place of need, not only this year but for the future," Rizzo said. "(den Dekker is) a young guy with two options left, a guy that the skill set fits for us."

In 80 games over two seasons with the Mets, den Dekker hit .238 with 12 doubles, one homer and 13 RBIs.

"His skill set is important to us," Rizzo said. "He runs really well. He can play plus-defense at all three spots. He gives us another defender that can play above-average center field. We like his left-handed bat. We've seen him play a lot the last couple seasons, and I think he's a guy that's skill set fits for us for this year and for beyond."

Rizzo was still awaiting the results of third baseman Anthony Rendon's visit today to orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion on his sprained left MCL. The injury occurred back on March 9 and has been unusually slow to heal.

"We'll see what the doc says and take it from there," he said.

It's fair to say patience is running thin around the Nationals because of injuries. Rizzo was clearly bothered when asked about all of them moments after today's game.

"How have I felt about them? I don't like them. How about that? But they're injuries that we haven't, knock on wood, we haven't had any major setbacks of anybody that's gonna be out for any extended periods of time," Rizzo said. "We'll see when we start getting guys back. We think that we have the depth and talent level to weather these injuries until they get back."