Nationals Roster Moves

The St Louis Cardinals signed LHP Rich Rundles as a 6-year minor league free agent. Rundles was acquired in 2001 from the Red Sox (along with Tomo Ohka) in exchange for Uggie Urbina. The 24-year old Rundles spent his second straight season in Double-A Harrisburg compiling a 9-19 record over the last two years with a 3.88ERA, 1.40WHIP, 5.4K/9IP, 2.9BB/9IP, and 0.7HR/9IP in 46GS. It appears that St Louis will convert him to a RP. It's a disappointment to see Rundles leave, but hopefully Bowden/Boone have some plans on bringing in some 6-year minor league free agent LHPs. The Nationals released OF Kenny Kelly yesterday. The 26-year old Kelly was claimed off of waivers from the Cincinnati Reds on July 27. He was another one of Bowden's toolsy OFs (see Escobar, Alex). In 24G, he only had 13AB with 4H. With the presence of Brandon Watson and Ty Godwin, Kelly was superfluous. His release opens another spot on the 40-man roster. With Beltran, Tucker, Drese, Escobar, and Sledge all on the 60-day DL, the Nationals are presently at 34/40.