Nats place Chad Cordero on bereavement list, call up Winston Abreau

This just in from Sports Illustrated's website: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2gkozc

"MILWAUKEE (AP) -The Washington Nationals placed reliever Chad Cordero on the bereavement list Tuesday and called up pitcher Winston Abreu to take his place.

Cordero left the team to return to California to be with his grandmother, who has brain cancer. Cordero said Sunday he wasn't sure if she'd live through the week.

According to league rules, players on the bereavement list must miss at least three games, but no more than seven, before returning to their club.

Cordero has saved four of the Nationals' nine wins and has a 4.70 ERA in 15 appearances. The right-hander also has blown four save opportunities, including Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs. During his absence, the Nationals most likely will look to setup man Jon Rauch to close.

Abreu, a 30-year-old right-hander, went 1-0 with one save and a 0.50 ERA in 10 games with Columbus, the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate."


I'm sure that I speak for Nationals fans everywhere when I wish the Cordero family well at this difficult time.