Dodgers signed LHP Matt Chico to a minor league contract.

Chico was moved to the bullpen in the minors this past season, posting a 5.87 ERA an 38/14 K/BB ratio over 46 innings between three levels in the Nationals' system. The 28-year-old left-hander has appeared in just one major-league game since undergoing Tommy John surgery in July of 2008. He's a longshot to make the Opening Day roster.

Nationals released LHP Matt Chico.

Chico, 28, had been pitching for the Nationals' Gulf Coast League affiliate. He opened the 2008 season as the club's No. 2 starter, but he underwent Tommy John surgery after just eight starts and hasn't been the same pitcher since.

Nationals sent Matt Chico to minor league camp.

Chico scored a major league contract from the Nationals this offseason, but the club obviously doesn't feel that he is ready to help out at the big league level. The 27-year-old southpaw posted a 3.73 ERA over 26 starts in the minors last season. He underwent Tommy John surgery in July of 2008.

Nationals signed LHP Matt Chico.

It's not known how much he'll get, but he surprisingly has been given a major league contract. Chico made the Nats' opening day roster in 2007 as a 24-year-old and proceeded to make 31 starts, but his career has been plagued by injuries and ineffectiveness since. He posted a 3.73 ERA over 26 starts between Double- and Triple-A this past season in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. The southpaw will compete for a rotation spot in spring training but could wind up in the bullpen or at Triple-A.

Nationals sent LHP Matt Chico outright to Triple-A Syracuse.

Chico was designated for assignment on Tuesday, but he will join the Nats in spring training as a non-roster invitee. The 27-year-old southpaw made one start with the Nationals this past season and posted a 3.73 ERA over 26 starts between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse. It was his first year back after Tommy John surgery.

Nationals designed LHP Matt Chico for assignment.

Chico missed the entire 2009 season following Tommy John surgery, but returned in 2010 to make one start with the Nationals and post a 3.73 ERA over 26 starts between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse. The 27-year-old southpaw has a 4.95 ERA over 40 major league starts and three relief appearances.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said that either Matt Chico or J.D. Martin will be called up from Triple-A Syracuse to make a spot-start against the Padres on Saturday.

"We'll make the decision that we think gives us the best chance to win," said Rizzo. Chico gave up two runs over five innings against the Marlins in a spot-start for John Lannan earlier this month. Stephen Strasburg was believed to be a possibility in some circles, but he'll start for Triple-A Syrcause that day. It's looking more and more like he'll debut at home against the Reds on June 4.

Nationals sent RHP Matt Chico outright to Triple-A Syracuse.

As expected, Chico was designated for assignment after his spot-start against the Marlins on Saturday. The 26-year-old left-hander impressed in the start and would be among the first to get the call if the Nats need an injury fill-in.

Matt Chico is expected to report to Triple-A Syracuse for his next start.

Chico was designated for assignment a few days ago, but is already back with the organization and will try to rally his way to the big leagues via Triple-A Syracuse. The 26-year-old left-hander had a 1-2 record, 3.12 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP in five starts at Double-A Harrisburg this season.

Nationals optioned RHP Matt Chico to Double-A Harrisburg.

Chico spent about 24 hours in the big leagues and pitched rather well Saturday against the Marlins. But the Nats only needed him for an emergency start to spell the injured John Lannan and are likely to call up a reliever before Sunday's game. Chico wasn't surprised to hear the news.

Nationals recalled LHP Matt Chico from Double-A Harrisburg.

Calling up Chico may not be as exciting as if the Nationals were calling up Stephen Strasburg, but the lefty hasn't pitched in the majors since May 21, 2008, so there's a good story here as well. Chico will start Saturday against the Marlins after going 1-2 with a 3.12 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in five starts at Double-A so far this year.

Ben Goessling of MASNSports.com reports that Matt Chico is listed in the Marlins' game notes as the Nationals' probable starting pitcher on Saturday.

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman still hasn't announced an official starter for Saturday, but said the Nationals would let the Marlins know who is starting on Saturday "out of common courtesy." This jives with a report by Bill Ladson of MLB.com earlier in the day. John Lannan is only expected to miss one start, but it's still a significant moment for Chico, who hasn't pitched in the major leagues since undergoing Tommy John surgery in July of 2008.

A source tells Bill Ladson of MLB.com that the Nationals are leaning towards starting left-hander Matt Chico in place of the injured John Lannan (elbow) on Saturday.

If true, it would be Chico's first start since May of 2008. The southpaw underwent Tommy John surgery in July of 2008 and made 15 starts between Class A Hagerstown and Double-A Harrisburg in '09. He is currently 1-2 with 3.12 ERA with Harrisburg to begin this season. J.D. Martin, who is 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA over four starts with Triple-A Syracuse, is another possibility for the assignment.