Notes on Taylor, Zimmerman, Rodney, Soto and being 41-40

DETROIT - The Nationals sent outfielder Michael A. Taylor to Double-A Harrisburg to make room for the return of first baseman Ryan Zimmerman.

Taylor was batting .211 in 76 at-bats this season with no homers and two RBIs. Nationals manager Davey Martinez said he wants Taylor to play every day and get continous at-bats while with the Senators.

"I've always said he's one of the best center fielders in the game," Martinez said. "He can steal bases, he can do a lot of things, and it was hard for him, I get it. As a guy who's been there before I understand it's not an easy job. But for me right now if he can go down there and accumulate a lot of at-bats, if somebody gets hurt, he comes right in here and has some momentum going and he can step right in and help us win."

Martinez the hitter said he would like to see Taylor get more out of each at-bat. He has struck out 32 times in 43 games with the Nats this season.

"For me, use the whole field, stay in the middle of the field," Martinez said. "He's got a lot of pop and when he can figure out how to put the ball in play, you're going to see that happen. But he's got to cut down on the strikeouts and just put the ball in play."

Martinez on Zimmerman's infield single in his first at-bat upon return from a right heel injury:

"I started laughing," Martinez said. "Who would've thunk it? Here's a guy that's been out with a heel injury and all of a sudden first ground ball he beats out an infield hit. To me that's a testament to how he plays."

* The Nats have liked what they have seen from former closer Fernando Rodney. The 42-year-old veteran has two scoreless outings with the Nats, including his first save in the Nats' 3-1 opening win against the Tigers here Friday night.

Winning pitcher Aníbal Sánchez remembered meeting Rodney last season while with the Minnesota Twins.

"I met this guy last year in spring training with Minnesota and the way that he pitch, he knows what he has to do," Sánchez said. "For sure he's in the league for so many years and he don't got pressure on this moment right now and he's just enjoying every moment that he's in the uniform and that's most of the time his word that he says to us."

Rodney said he listened to the Nationals' advice to work on his craft with Triple-A Fresno after a brutal start with the Oakland Athletics.

"They told me, 'Hey, we're going to pick you up, but you have to go to the minor leagues and work,'" Rodney explained. "That's what I do exactly. I know if I go down there exactly what I have to do, prepare myself for the game, I feel great (last night)."

Rodney said he still has a chip on his shoulder to prove the naysayers wrong after the A's dropped him.

"I'm surprised sometimes because some people think I'm too old for the league, but this is the experience I have," Rodney said. "Sometimes it looks easy to people outside the game. It's not an easy job, but I feel comfortable when (in) game situation's like that. I feel more comfortable. I throw everything I have, fastball, changeup, whatever I have to do to keep the game that way."

* The Nationals have gone above .500 (41-40) for the first time since they beat the Giants at home April 18. It took the Nats 64 games to get back above water.

"We talked about this the other day," Martinez said. "For me it's just one more win and let's just keep going. The boys are playing well. There's a lot of excitement going on right now so get some rest. We got in late last night, get some rest and be ready to go at it tomorrow."

Sánchez showed his emotions a little bit more at the prospect of the club going from 19-31 to 41-40.

"It's amazing. It's amazing," Sánchez said. "It's unbelievable and the team is on the good path right now. We need to continue on this momentum and we're good. We're good. I said that in April when everybody see that we don't have the results that people want, but right now we're here and we're going to continue to fight."

Slugger Juan Soto hit a solo shot in the second inning Friday night. He also appreciated this moment for the team to get to 41-40 at the halfway mark of the season.

"It's more fun than you think," Soto said. "It's a lot of fun because we come from the bottom. So now we up here right now and we feeling really good. It's great how everybody was working hard to get better."