“The Nationals were on the field running through pre-game drills, outfielders shagging, infielders taking grounders, others preparing to hit, etc., and he strolled in from right field where the outfielders were working and sat down in the dugout.

He was the only player to excuse himself from pre-game drills and then began a good-natured but profanity-filled dialogue with a teammate on the field about his (Duke’s) striking out twice in a game the day before.”

Dukes story, a personal aside (Nationals Spring Training Blog, Florida Today)

Skipping drills and swearing (Turner Gill would not approve Lawrence Journal World) about two Ks the previous day is apparently not a smart decision for a player with a sordid past to make the day before the team would have to pay his whole salary. By the way, we really need a term for that day.

I don’t know if this is the right move, but from what has been said about clubhouse morale, I think they were looking for a reason.