Lannan started in place of Stephen Strasburg
Disappointed over not making the Nationals’ opening day rotation, 27-year-old left-hander John Lannan returned to Triple-A Syracuse and posted marginal numbers this season. Yet he has made the most of his three starts at the Major League level in 2012.
Lannan, who is 41-51 with a 3.96 ERA in 131 starts over parts of six seasons with the Nationals, is 3-0 with a 2.41 ERA in three outings this year. Two of those wins were delivered during spot starts in doubleheaders earlier in the season. The most recent one, on Wednesday, was posted as Lannan started in place of Stephen Strasburg, who was shut down for the season to protect the 24-year-old right-hander’s surgically-repaired elbow.
On Wednesday, Lannan limited the New York Mets to no runs and five hits with two strikeouts and one walk over 5.2 innings in Washington’s 2-0 victory.
Regardless of how well he pitches the rest of the regular season, there is a chance that Lannan might not be part of Washington’s post-season roster. Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann, Edwin Jackson and Detwiler are expected to gets the starts in the playoffs, and unless an injury arises, there is likely no room for Lannan in the Nationals’ bullpen.
Still, Lannan can gain confidence heading into the off-season by continuing to post impressive outings for the Nationals. He was 9-11 with a 4.30 ERA in 24 starts at Triple-A Syracuse. If he is not part of Washington’s long-term plans, there will always be a trade partner for a soon-to-be 28-year-old lefty who has tasted success in the majors.
