GM says Nationals don't intend to trade Lannan

Published Apr. 5, 2012 2:02 p.m. ET

foxsports

CHICAGO (AP) -- General manager Mike Rizzo says the Washington Nationals have no intention of trading pitcher John Lannan.

Rizzo says teams have shown interest. He also says he he understands Lannan's frustration over being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, calling him "an ultra-competitive person."

Rizzo spoke before Thursday's opener against the Chicago Cubs.

The Nationals sent Lannan to the minors on Tuesday, deciding to give the No. 5 spot in their season-opening rotation to another lefty, Ross Detwiler. While Detwiler spent much of 2011 at Syracuse, Lannan was making 33 starts for the Nationals, going 10-13 with a 3.70 ERA. He is making $5 million this year.

In an e-mail to reporters on Wednesday, Lannan wrote: ""I believe that I belong in a big league rotation."