Majewski's setup role

With the Nationals playing their first season in Washington in 2005, a lot of baseball fans want to know about the team and its chances of competing in the National League East.
Here are some answers to your questions. Keep those e-mails coming. Thanks a bunch.

I'm Gary Majewski's dad. I'm in Afghanistan and I still haven't seen my son pitch in the Major Leagues. What does the media think of him as a pitcher? I'm in a remote desert camp and have no clue what's going on in the outside world. I do know the Nationals are in 1st place! Go Nationals! -- Gerry M., Houston

The media considers Gary a valuable setup man for the Nationals. He is 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA in 26 games.

Manager Frank Robinson recently said he was going to monitor Gary for a while. The skipper feels that the right-hander is getting a little tired. While Gary is still being clocked at 94 mph, Robinson noticed that Gary is not blowing hitters away recently. Gary says he is not tired, he just has to get his slider down in the strike zone.

Gary last pitched in the infamous pine tar game this past Tuesday. He pitched 1 1 /3 innings without allowing a run.

After Robinson had umpires check Brendan Donnelly's glove for pine tar, Angels manager Mike Scioscia had the umpires check Gary's glove, which was clean. Gary declined to discuss the situation.

What was the Nationals' rationale for the Tomo Ohka/Junior Spivey trade when Jose Vidro is due to come off the disabled list in the next few weeks? -- Tom P., Burlington, Ontario

The Nationals were looking for offense at second base until Vidro returns. At the time of the trade, Jamey Carroll, who had received the bulk of the playing time, was in a terrible hitting slump. Carlos Baerga also played second base, but no longer has the range to play the position.

Carroll and Baerga are now in their proper roles. Carroll is a fill-in at second base, third base and shortstop, while Baerga is strictly a pinch-hitter.

Cristian Guzman is a terrific fielder, but how long do you see Robinson keeping him in the lineup with a batting average under the Mendoza Line? -- Greg S., Vienna, Va.

Robinson said that Guzman would continue to be the everyday shortstop. Let's not forget the team is winning and can afford to carry Guzman in the lineup for quite a while. Robinson even said recently that he would not consider switching Spivey from second to shortstop once Vidro returns. Guzman is the guy for the foreseeable future.

Source: http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/