Olsen's Back; Batters Rejoice

Olsen's activation means demotion for Martis

By CHRIS NEEDHAM

Updated 8:00 PM EST, Mon, Jun 29, 2009

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The Nationals are set to active the Marlboro Man, Scott Olsen, from the DL so that he can start Monday's series opener against the Marlins in good ol' Miami. The Nats have not given word as to who they'll call in to relieve him in the third once the Marlins batter him around.

With Olsen coming up, the Nats had to make a move to send someone down. The Nats had announced that rookie SP Craig Stammen (5.49 ERA) would move to the bullpen. It was assumed that this was going to mean the end of the line for one of the Gascan Duo in the 'pen: Joel Hanrahan (7.71 ERA) or Jesus Colome (7.07).

But, no. These are the Nats, and their bullpen stinks, so ERAs that could be confused for airliners are perfectly acceptable. The team has decided to dump the not-so-wowin' Curacaoin, Shairon Martis.

Martis hasn't been effective for a long stretch. He doesn't strike anyone out; he has more walks than strikeouts. On one hand, it's a good sign that the team recognizes that Martis' pitching (the team's 1-7 in his last 8 starts) isn't cutting it. On the other hand, it's not like Hanny, Jesus or Olsen are much better.

Olsen's been on the DL since May 17th when his declining fastball velocity and pathetic performances made the team suspect he was having arm problems. The team called it tendinitis, which is often just a catch-all for generic arm problems. Sometimes it's a sign of something serious. Sometimes it's just fatigue. And sometimes it means "this guy stinks so bad, and we have no idea what's going wrong."

In 3 rehab starts at Triple-A, Olsen allowed 9 runs in just over 12 innings. 19 hits and 6 walks add up to a WHIP that's almost 2. And this is a guy they think is ready?

The team claims he has his velocity back, and that he was hitting 92 MPH. That may be true, but that's likely a stretch of the ol' truth. Olsen's average fastball velocity the last two years is about 87. In 2006 -- his fastest season -- he averaged 90.9.

So somehow he managed to pick up almost 5 MPH over what he's done the last few years, and still somehow was getting his brains beaten in by Triple-A batters? Yeah, sure.

The hitters always have a way of letting you know how a pitcher is doing. By about 7:42, Nats fans will have a pretty good idea, too.

Chris Needham used to write Capitol Punishment. He supposes that Olsen could throw 92 from the top of a building.