WASHINGTON, April 4 (UPI) -- Washington Nationals pitcher John Lannan said Wednesday he wants a trade after the team demoted him to the minor leagues as spring training camps broke.
Lannan, who went 10-13 with a 3.70 ERA over 33 starts last season and is 38-51 with a 4.00 ERA for his major league career, was optioned to Class AAA Syracuse as left-hander Ross Detweiler was moved into the starting rotation.
Due $5 million this year, the 27-year-old left-hander was the Nationals' opening day starter in 2009 and 2010.
He became the highest-paid player ever optioned to the minors before the end of spring training, The Washington Post reported.
The hurler issued a statement indicating he had demanded a trade after meeting with General Manager Mike Rizzo.
"I know what my rights and the team's rights are, and while I'm still a member of the Washington Nationals organization, I let Mike know that I believe a trade would be the best solution for everyone in both the short and long term," Lannan said in an e-mail to reporters.
"I believe that I belong in a big-league rotation. I am a proven major-league starting pitcher, with a track record of success."
