NASHVILLE — The Nationals say they were aware of Jonathan Papelbon’s grievance against the club the day after they suspended him in late September and insist it doesn’t change their plans for the controversial closer.
“That’s business. It’s not personal,” general manager Mike Rizzo said Monday at the Winter Meetings, adding: “It was something we’ve known about for a long time.”
Rizzo wouldn’t go into specifics about the actual grievance process, which is expected to carry over into next spring, but spoke of Papelbon as though he remains in the club’s 2016 plans.
“Suffice it to say, Pap’s a part of this team,” he said.