WASHINGTON -- Nationals slugger Alfonso Soriano said that making the National League All-Star team as an outfielder in July would be even sweeter than winning the game's Ted Williams Award that he won in 2004 as a member of the
Rangers, for it will underscore the success he's had making the transition from second base to left field.
"In Spring Training, everybody knows I said I didn't want to play left field because I don't consider myself an outfielder," Soriano said. "But now I know I can play outfield. If I make the All-Star team, it's because I can play the outfield, too. That would be great."
Despite leading the Major Leagues in outfield assists with 10, Soriano says he feels uncomfortable in the outfield only when they are on the road. He's gotten used to playing the position at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium.
"I'm comfortable when I play at home," Soriano said. "On the road, I don't feel that way, because I never played in the outfield in those ballparks. At home, I've played [23] games. I feel I have more time on the field."
Soriano is a free agent after the season and is likely to make more than the $50 million over five years that the Nationals offered after they acquired his services. The Nationals' think tank is currently debating weather to make an attempt to re-sign him or trade him before the trade deadline.
Soriano continues to say that he is not thinking about his pending free-agent status, and he believes that the battle that he had with the team during Spring Training about switching positions will have no bearing on whether he will stay with the team. It was general manager Jim Bowden who threatened to put Soriano on the suspended list without pay.
"Whatever happened at Spring Training is in the past. I'm living for today," Soriano said. "I have no problem with [Bowden] because he is the GM and he wants to help the team. It's not only him, it's the manager as well. I want to think about what I want to do during the offseason. It's time to work and play every day. During my offseason, I have plenty of time on what I want to do."
Injury report: A day after pitching 3 1/3 innings in a rehab assignment for Class A Potomac on Wednesday, right-hander John Patterson said his right forearm is feeling good, and that he will make another rehab start on Monday. He is expected to throw approximately 70 pitches. Patterson is currently on the disabled list because of a forearm strain.
"I feel good today," said Patterson. "I have normal soreness, which is good. It's all in the right spot. It's something to build on."
If his second rehab goes well, Patterson is hoping to be activated from the DL.
Outfielder Jose Guillen, on the DL because of a right hamstring strain, began playing Minor League games for Potomac on Thursday. He went 0-for-2 against the Frederick Keys and then left the game because the field was wet.
Guillen said he is looking to play a doubleheader on Friday and hopes to be taken off the DL on Saturday, but manager Frank Robinson said that he wants Guillen to be 100 percent before being activated.
"I have a real passion for the game and I miss the team a lot," Guillen said by telephone. "I want to make sure that I'm 100 percent. And I agree with Frank. He is the one who convinced [me] to go on the DL and get the leg better."
A rare pitcher: Most big-league pitchers run the bases very slowly in fear that they might run out of gas before they go back to the mound. Not right-hander Ramon Ortiz, who goes all out when he runs the bases. In fact, Robinson has used Ortiz as a pinch-runner. Asked why he goes all out, Ortiz said, "I like to win. When I'm on base, I want to score. I like running. When Frank has me to pinch-run, he doesn't have to worry about putting in another guy."
This and that: Former Nationals eye-in-the-sky coach Jack Voigt was at RFK Stadium on Thursday. He is now an advance scout for the Mets. ... The Nationals are expected to see pitcher Sean Black this weekend. Black was selected by the team in the second round of the 2006 First Year Player Draft and indicated that he is interested in signing with the club.
Send in your questions: The Nationals mailbag runs Monday.
Stat of the day: Entering Thursday's action, Chad Cordero has not allowed an earned run in his last 10 appearances. He also has picked up eight saves during that period.
Did you know? Coming into Thursday's game against the Phillies, the Nationals have the best record over the last three weeks. They are 14-6, a .700 winning percentage.
Coming up: The Nationals play the second game of a four-game series against the Phillies on Friday night. Right-hander Tony Armas Jr. (6-3, 3.34 ERA) will get the start for Washington, while right-hander Brett Myers (4-2, 2.90) gets the nod for Philadelphia.
