John Lannan will remain in the Nationals rotation.

"I believe in John," Manager Jim Riggleman said. "John's been too good for us to let a few starts detour us too much, you know? We've got a lot of leash there with John." Lannan's 5.76 ERA is the second highest in the National League and he is 0-3 with a 10.38 ERA and 2.92 WHIP in his last three starts. He shouldn't be used in fantasy for now.

John Lannan said that he is having a hard time getting his sinker to "sink."

"I'm not getting that true sink that I usually get," said Lannan, who has a 5.45 ERA through his first 13 starts this season. The young left-hander's success has always been built on a house of cards because he relies on contact. What we're seeing this season is a pitcher who is having less luck with batting average in balls in play and missing less bats that in the past. It's no recipe for success.

John Lannan yielded five runs -- two earned --over 6 1/3 innings in a loss to the Astros on Wednesday night.

Shortstop Ian Desmond committed three errors on the night, costing Lannan any shot at his third win. It probably reminded Lannan of the wretched defense the Nats played last season. Lannan quietly hasn't given up more than two earned runs in any of his last four starts, but we're not really buying this surge. In addition to the light-hitting Astros, he's faced the Orioles and Giants during that stretch.

John Lannan limited the Padres to two runs -- one earned -- in seven innings Friday to earn a victory.

The Nats will probably drop that protest now. The lineup card said Adam Russell would start for the Nats, but that was an error and Clayton Richard got the ball as slated. Richard was solid, giving up four runs in seven innings, but Lannan was better and the Nationals won 5-3. Lannan is now 2-2 with a 5.01 ERA.

John Lannan gave up two runs over six innings as part of a no-decision in a loss to the Cardinals on Tuesday night.

It was as good as could have been expected from Lannan, who has struggled with both elbow soreness and on-field performance this year. Lannan tossed only 4 2/3 innings against the Rockies on Thursday after returning to the rotation after a skipped turn due to discomfort in his elbow. On Tuesday, he struck out two and walked one while allowing five hits. The left-hander has floundered this year but lowered his ERA to 6.02 on Tuesday. He has a favorable matchup this weekend against the Orioles.

John Lannan (elbow) plans to make his next scheduled start against the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Lannan allowed four runs over 4 2/3 innings against the Rockies on Thursday after missing a turn in the rotation due to a sore elbow. It seems like the problem is behind him, as he played catch at Coors Field on Friday and declared himself ready to go for next week.

John Lannan surrendered four runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Rockies in his return to the rotation Thursday.

Lannan missed one turn with a sore elbow. He was ineffective agani tonight, allowing six hits and walking four while facing 24 batters. Even worse than his 6.51 ERA after seven starts is his 1.96 WHIP and his 13/22 K/BB ratio. He may yet land on the DL.

John Lannan (elbow) may work on a pitch count during his start against the Rockies on Thursday.

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said he didn't want the left-hander to throw more than 100 pitches. "I just want him to be John Lannan," said Riggleman. "We want him to pitch pain free, throw his pitches and keep the ball down. That first performance will be more how he feels and how he recovers from that more so than just the results of the game." Lannan was skipped in the rotation on Saturday due to discomfort in his elbow.

John Lannan (elbow) was cleared to start against the Rockies on Thursday after completing a bullpen session.

Lannan missed a start on Saturday due to discomfort in his elbow, but said the bullpen session went "great." Hopefully some rest will change his fortune. The left-hander has a 6.34 ERA and 12/18 K/BB ratio over his first six starts.

MLB.com's Bill Ladson reports that John Lannan (elbow) played long toss Saturday morning and felt no discomfort in his elbow.

Lannan would have started today, but the Nationals felt that it would be better for him to take the extra time off. Matt Chico makes his return from Tommy John surgery in Lannan's place. This is the only start Lannan is expected to miss.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said John Lannan had a clean MRI three weeks ago, but had some discomfort in his elbow and will only miss one start.

That explains it. Doctors reportedly found swelling in the elbow, but no structural damage. Still, the Nationals will err on the side of caution with their young left-hander.

John Lannan yielded three runs over six innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Monday night.

Lannan walked a season-high five batters, more than in any start since last May. He now owns a positively awful 10/15 K/BB ratio over his first 27 2/3 innings. He's already a lousy fantasy option because of the lack of strikeouts, but if he can't find the strike zone, something he has struggled with in the early going, he can't possibly be effective every fifth day.

John Lannan gave up two runs over seven innings as part of a no-decision in a win over the Brewers on Friday night.

Lannan scattered seven hits -- including a home run -- while fanning five and walking three. He has walked exactly three batters over his first three starts this season. Consistent with his profile, Lannan induced 16 groundballs in the effort. He carries a 5.74 ERA and 1.85 WHIP into his next start against the Rockies next week.

John Lannan yielded three runs over five innings in a 4-3 win over the Mets on Saturday afternoon.

Either he's very lucky or the Mets' offense just isn't very good. Lannan found himself in bases loaded jams in back-to-back innings and was able to walk away with minimal damage. All told, he allowed six hits while walking three and fanning two. He improved his ERA to 8.31 with the win, and has a date with the Brewers next week.

John Lannan surrendered five runs in 3 2/3 innings Monday in a loss to the Phillies.

Command is Lannan's strong suit, but just 38 of his 72 pitches today were strikes. He walked three and struck out none. Lannan was strong this spring, going 2-0 with a 2.91 ERA in 21 2/3 innings, so maybe this was just a bad day.