Tyler Clippard News

Right-hander Collin Balester views himself as a starter, but the Nationals have not ruled out making him work out of the bullpen if they can't acquire quality relievers from the outside.

Who do you think will be the Nationals' Opening Day shortstop? -- Patrick S., Chantilly, Va.

The Nationals still could re-sign Olsen and MacDougal to lesser contracts and invite them to spring training, and general manager Mike Rizzo said that remains a possibility.

On Monday, the Nationals were the busiest team at the Winter Meetings, but they didn't make any significant moves on Tuesday.

As the winter meetings begin Monday, the Nationals have identified several areas where they'll be looking to improve their roster.

The Washington Nationals ' brain trust convenes Monday in Indianapolis for Baseball's winter meetings with the same patient confidence they've had the entire offseason, something that seems out of place on Baseball's worst team but could be wholly justified given the progress they've already made reshaping a ramshackle leadership structure.

Steve McCatty will be in his first full season as Nationals pitching coach in 2010, and he made it clear recently that he wants to see his staff improve from last year.

What did you think about the Nationals making Jim Riggleman the permanent manager? -- Charlie B., Washington It was a great move, because there is going to be discipline and accountability on the team, something that was missing before he became the interim manager.

ATLANTA, Oct. 2 -- This year, Tyler Clippard has transformed from a flawed starting pitcher into a reliever. He has transformed from a minor leaguer into a major leaguer. He has transformed from a green rookie into, perhaps, the Washington Nationals' most reliable bullpen man.

For all the upheaval in Washington's bullpen this year, Clippard has developed into a dependable option. He is now trusted for multiple innings in the Nationals' closest games. He'll be asked to do the same in 2010.

'I've gotten real comfortable with [relief pitching], just because it's the role I've been in all year,' Clippard, 24, said. 'But you're right, it's just my first year doing it.

Good pitching performances are a terrible thing to waste. And the way Garrett Mock and Tyler Clippard pitched Thursday night at Turner Field, the Washington Nationals would have been kicking themselves had they not ultimately found a way to win.

And still they lose. Admit it, you knew they would. You knew the Washington Nationals would go down, because that's what they always do.

What are the chances of Cristian Guzman being traded this offseason? -- Ross B., Washington I think if they could get someone to take Guzman's contract, it would be more than 50-50. I find it hard to believe the Nationals would go into next season with Guzman at second base and Adam Dunn at first.

Cole Hamels and closer Brad Lidge combined on a six-hitter Thursday, leading Philadelphia to a 4-2 win over Washington and a three-game sweep.

On Thursday, Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard had an outing he would like to forget.

For the second consecutive night, the Phillies used the long ball to defeat the Nationals, 6-5, at Nationals Park on Wednesday.

The Washington Nationals would rather not play any role in determining the identity of the Philadelphia Phillies ' closer.

Ryan Madson pitched the ninth in place of struggling closer Brad Lidge , earning his sixth save in six chances as Philadelphia beat the Nationals for the ninth straight time.

Back-to-back eighth-inning homers by Jayson Werth and Pedro Feliz Wednesday lifted the Philadelphia Phillies to a 6-5 win over Washington.

Jayson Werth and Pedro Feliz clubbed back- to-back home runs off Washington reliever Tyler Clippard in the eighth inning to give the Phillies the lead, and Philadelphia held on to defeat the Nationals, 6-5, in the second installment of a three-game series.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo revamped the bullpen twice this season because the relievers had problems getting hitters out.