Lannan not getting any takers: Nationals starter John Lannan, down at Triple-A Syracuse, is seeing little interest on the trade market from other teams, reports MLB.com on Wednesday. Entering Wednesday's action, Lannan had given up nine runs in six innings. Plus, teams don't want to take over his large contract. (Updated 04/18/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/23/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Lannan is too expensive as a struggling fifth starter, which is how most teams view him. The Nationals still have some faith in him, but he's not in the major league rotation, is he? Lannan really only has very low-end Fantasy appeal at this time until he does something to change that. (Updated 04/18/2012).
04/03/2012 18:19 John Lannan, minor-leaguer
Washington Nationals left-hander John Lannan has been optioned to Triple-A. Previously, Lannan was mentioned as a trade possibility and had been in line to be the Nats' fifth starter.
John Lannan has been a staple of the Nationals rotation since he first broke through with a 15-loss season in 2008. OK, so it was more the stable ERA and steady innings that kept them running him out there every fifth day, but with the Nationals nearing contention with the arrival of Stephen Strasburg, the near arrival of Bryce Harper and the acquisition of Gio Gonzalez, they're no longer going to be as willing to settle for a pitcher who barely keeps his head above water. Lannan is that pitcher. His career ERA is an even 4.00. His career WHIP is an ugly but survivable 1.42. His career strikeout rate looks like it's been chopped in half. He'll fill a hole in a rotation, but he won't convince a team to create one for him. Already, the Nationals are giving the impression that they're less than enthusiastic about having Lannan in their rotation, saying either he, Chien-Ming Wang or Ross Detwiler will have to begin the year in the bullpen. Even with an assured rotation spot, Lannan would be an option better left for NL-only leagues. With his role less than certain, he's clearly not a mixed-league option. (Updated 1/18/12)