Roger Bernadina: Nationals outfielder Roger Bernadina made a statement on Wednesday that he belongs in the MLB. He hit two homeruns in a 6-4 win at Citi Field in New York, including a go-ahead two-run shot in the top of the ninth against Francisco Rodriguez. He also went deep in the fourth. However the biggest play by him on the day came with his glove. In the bottom of the fifth with the game tied at 4-4, the bases loaded and two outs, he made a diving catch on a line drive by Jeff Francoeur, which could have turned things into a different direction. Bernadina is now batting .263 (OBP .300/SLG .447) in 13 big league games this season.
Jair Jurrjens: After starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens had to leave his most recent start with a hamstring injury, expectations were that he would miss just a few days. However he had to be assigned to the disabled list last week and he suffered another setback on Monday, which will keep him out even longer. While testing his leg running in the outfield before the Braves game against the Brewers on Monday he felt something pop in his left hamstring. He is going to have another MRI, when the team returns to Atlanta. Jurrjens had a 0-3 record with an ERA of 6.58 in five starts before suffering the injury.
Rick van den Hurk: Eindhoven native Rick van den Hurk had his longest start since April 9 on Tuesday, as he allowed seven hits, four runs (2 ER) and four walks in 5 1/3 innings, striking out six. He is now 2-2 with an ERA of 5.01 in seven starts for the Triple-A team of the Marlins in New Orleans. He has struck out 25 in 32 1/3 innings, while walking 13.
Kai Gronauer: German catcher Kai Gronauer has cooled off a bit at the plate recently. However on Sunday he homered for the second time this season, doubled, scored two runs and drove in four. He is now batting .280 (OBP .380/SLG .430) with 13 runs and eleven RBI in 25 games for the Savanna Sand Gnats.
Alex Maestri: The ERA of Italian reliever Alex Maestri got inflated the last couple of days, as he allowed a combined seven runs in 1 1/3 innings on Saturday and Monday. He is now sporting an ERA of 6.41 in 13 games, striking out 17 in 19 2/3 innings, while walking nine.
Gregory Halman: Outfielder Gregory Halman of Triple-A Tacoma is currently at the seven-day disabled list after straining an oblique muscle at the end of April. He was just about to get hot, having five hits in his last eleven at-bats. Overall he was hitting .188 (OBP .328/SLG .417) in 13 games in the Pacific Coast League.
