WASHINGTON -- It was a cruel twist of fate that the day Nationals right-hander Aaron Barrett fractured his right elbow was also the day he felt best during his long recovery from Tommy John surgery. On the 11th pitch of a 20-pitch simulated game in late July, he felt a snap in his arm.
Barrett had been watching every Nationals game from the team's Spring Training home in Viera, Fla. -- he still does, even on the West Coast -- and was hoping to return this season and contribute in September as a possible callup when rosters expand.