Clippard gets chance to close Tuesday: Nationals setup man Tyler Clippard told reporters prior to Tuesday's game against the Phillies that he wants to be the team's closer. "I would love the opportunity," Clippard said. "I want it bad." Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Tuesday after closer Henry Rodriguez had to be pulled from a save opportunity that he will go to a closer-by-committee approach and that Rodriguez will be moved to a "less demanding" role. Johnson did add that he likes Clippard in a setup role but gave him the opportunity to close out Tuesday's game anyway. Clippard made quick work of Philadelphia in the ninth as he went 1-2-3 with a strikeout for his first save of the season. (Updated 05/22/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/23/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Clippard said he expressed at the end of the 2011 season that he could be the team's closer, but obviously Drew Storen earned his way into that role. Storen has been sidelined all season because of elbow problems and won't be back until July. Brad Lidge, who was a co-closer before getting hurt, is out until at least mid-June. Johnson hasn't moved Clippard to the closer's role because he's been so valuable as a setup man, though it seems obvious he'll at least get some chances while the team is using the committee approach. Clippard might be worth adding off waivers in very deep formats as Johnson apparently will give him some save chances. He is still one of the more valuable non-closers in Fantasy because of his holds and strikeout potential. (Updated 05/22/2012).
05/22/2012 21:55 Nats move into first place in NL East
Jordan Zimmerman pitched six solid innings, and Ian Desmond and Rick Ankiel homered to lead the Washington Nationals to a 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.
05/16/2012 22:17 Gonzalez Ks 10, Nats knock off Bucs
Adam LaRoche broke open a tight game with a three-run double for his 1,000th career hit after homering for No. 999, and Gio Gonzalez took over the NL strikeout lead from teammate Stephen Strasburg by fanning 10 in seven innings Wednesday night, leading the Washington Nationals past the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-4.
05/16/2012 12:56 Fantasy Relief: Let's be Frank about Francisco
Another week, another round of closer news. Are you on a never ending hunt for saves? Our Michael Hurcomb touches on some of the more volatile situations in his latest edition of Fantasy Relief.
Jonny Venters got all the headlines, but Tyler Clippard was an All-Star middle reliever himself last year, and you could argue he was even more deserving of the nod. His ERA (1.83) and WHIP (0.84) were both lower than Venters' (1.84 and 1.09). His hit rate was better (4.9 per nine innings to 5.4 per nine). His walk rate was much better (2.6 per nine to 4.4 per nine). He also pitched more innings (88 1/3 to 88) and recorded more strikeouts (104 to 96). In fairness, Venters' numbers were better until a late-season collapse, but over the full season, Clippard was as good as it gets for a middle reliever. And he's hardly a one-hit wonder. Over the last three seasons, he has a 2.52 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings, averaging 80 innings per season. He won't enter the saves discussion in 2012 -- not unless something goes seriously wrong at the back end of the Nationals bullpen -- but the combination of innings along with stellar ratios makes Clippard one of those rare middle relievers worth drafting in mixed leagues, particularly Rotisserie formats. Don't forget about him in the late rounds. (Updated 1/18/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start