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Nationals Designate Rick Ankiel For Assignment

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 19, 2012 at 9:06am CDT

The Nationals will designate Rick Ankiel for assignment to create roster space for Drew Storen, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter). The move creates 25 and 40-man roster space for Storen, who's being activated from the disabled list after battling elbow soreness.

Ankiel, 33, signed a one-year, $1.25MM contract with Washington this past offseason. He appeared in 68 games as the Nationals' center fielder and posted a .228/.282/.411 batting line with five home runs in 171 plate appearances.

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Transactions Washington Nationals Rick Ankiel

Olney On Royals, Red Sox, Dempster
Main
East Notes: Rays, Infante, Ankiel, Moyer
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31 Comments

  1. Natsfan89

    13 years ago

    Accept the assignment and rejoin the team in September

    Reply
  2. elbeisbol

    13 years ago

    That really sucks for Ankiel.

    Meanwhile, H-Rod is still here…

    Edit: Rizzo apparently wanted an 8 man pen through the double-header weekend.

    Reply
    • Natsfan89

      13 years ago

      The guy throws 100 with a disgusting breaking ball. Even if the Nats give up on him eventually there’s some team out there that will think they can fix his control problems.

      Reply
      • Brian McKeever

        13 years ago

        Fast Henry should be a prime trade candidate. They won’t DFA him because, as you pointed out, he has too much raw talent.

        Reply
  3. Yelena Katz

    13 years ago

    Storen wasn’t “battling elbow soreness”. He had surgery on his elbow (to remove bone chips causing soreness in his elbow). No surgery, no DL.

    Reply
  4. WolandJR

    13 years ago

    I hated him when he started games last year, but really liked him off the bench. He will catch on with another team because he is a good CFer and has a little pop.

    Reply
    • elbeisbol

      13 years ago

      Be sure to read the article on Davey that Boswell wrote. It covers how well Davey has utilized his bench and the discrepancy between their stats when they start and when Davey subs them in. Ankiel is not the only batter that is much better off the bench.

      Reply
  5. schellis

    13 years ago

    He’ll go where all old Cardinals go when they need a major league paycheck and starting job when they really aren’t starters any more.

    I’m sure Jocketty is already on the phone to get him to Cincinnati

    Reply
    • Leachpunk

      13 years ago

      He doesn’t strike out as much as Stubbs, so it is possible.

      Reply
      • Leachpunk

        13 years ago

        Wow, downvoted because I commented on the reds best strikeout hitter since Adam Dunn… I hope the reds pursue denard span, a legitimate leadoff hitter, centerfielder and base stealer.

        Reply
    • MCTX

      13 years ago

      Seems to be working… Look at what Ludwick has done for the Reds the last two months.

      Reply
    • Gunner65

      13 years ago

      We have an OF shortage at the upper levels of our farm system … so you are probably right. Wouldn’t surprise me if they claimed him and sent Paul back down to AAA

      Reply
  6. monkeydung

    13 years ago

    this has ned colleti written all over it

    Reply
    • Gumby65

      13 years ago

      Why? Dodgers already have 3 journeyman OFs who could find their way out of a paper bag with a bat much faster than Ankiel…

      Reply
      • monkeydung

        13 years ago

        because of exactly what you just said.

        Reply
        • Gumby65

          13 years ago

          Ahhhh…. Gotcha, the brain teaser for Ned. Did you see on TMZ that Twitter Ned Colletti has been unmasked, and it’s Real Ned Colletti?

          Reply
  7. William Ciupa

    13 years ago

    If he’s a right handed bat, the Indians should pick him up.

    Reply
    • $6592481

      13 years ago

      He’s a lefty, and the only real upgrade he provides in LF (or CF if they decide to move Brantley to accommodate Ankiel), is defense. His offensive numbers are about as bad as the Damon/Duncan platoon.

      Reply
  8. Chuck Enslin

    13 years ago

    Rick still deserves all the respect in the world… He is an amazing ball player and athlete. Just wish he didn’t lose it upstairs on the hill… He was dominant. And then, to turn into a MLB-caliber outfielder, just like that… and first time back hit 36 homeruns in his first 165 games… the injuries and what not derailed him some more and his rhythym… regardless, Rick Ankiel was/is a phenomenal talent. And boy what an arm!

    Reply
    • Natsfan89

      13 years ago

      “He is the first player since Babe Ruth to
      have won at least 10 games as a pitcher and also hit at least 50 home
      runs. Ankiel is also the only player other than Babe Ruth to both start a
      postseason game as a pitcher and hit a home run in the postseason as a
      position player.”

      He’ll always have that. I really would like him to accept the assignment and come back to the Nats in September because he’s a nice guy and a solid defensive replacement.

      Reply
      • Some_guy_with_something_to_say

        13 years ago

        He’s not eligible for September call-up if he’s not on the 40 man roster. Somebody is going to pick him up.

        Reply
        • Natsfan89

          13 years ago

          He can always be added back on to the 40 man correct? Because I have a hard time believing Chein-Ming Wang will still be on the 40 man roster come September.

          Reply
  9. cp7ny

    13 years ago

    he’d be perfect as a 4th outfielder for the yankees if gardner is done…

    Reply
  10. Shane Maples

    13 years ago

    I’d welcome him to Cincy.

    Reply
  11. CaseyBlakeDeWitt

    13 years ago

    Happy Birthday Rick. Ouch…

    Reply
  12. DerekJeterDan

    13 years ago

    The Yankees have no need for Ankiel. Not with the way Wise has been playing for them off the bench (.841 OPS). I do think some team in need of a 4th OF should definitely look into Ankiel however. He has an amazing arm and is a very good defender at all 3 outfield positions.

    Reply
  13. sdfriarfan

    13 years ago

    I’d play Ankiel in Venable’s place in SD.

    Reply
  14. KoW

    13 years ago

    i’ll be shocked if the bucs don’t claim him.

    Reply
  15. tdw815

    13 years ago

    How a bat of the bench for the Mets

    Reply
  16. alxn

    13 years ago

    On his birthday…that’s harsh

    Reply
  17. Jeff 31

    13 years ago

    Is Ankiel out of options? I could see him as a decent pickup for the Braves of all people, as an upgrade over Hinske.

    Reply

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