SAN FRANCISCO -- Closer Chad Cordero's agent, Larry Reynolds, seemed miffed that Nationals general manager Jim Bowden has announced that Cordero would be non-tendered. Usually, such an announcement is made during the offseason.

Bowden first gave the news to Sports Talk 980 AM in Washington on Wednesday afternoon. Bowden later confirmed that in an e-mail to MLB.com during Wednesday night's game between the Nationals and Giants.

Cordero and the Nationals avoided arbitration this past offseason when Cordero agreed to terms on a one-year, $6.2 million contract on Jan. 11. The Nationals were hoping that Cordero would be just as productive as he was the previous four-plus seasons, but he played in only six games because of a labrum tear in his right shoulder.

Had they decided to tender him a contract, Cordero could be offered a 20 percent pay cut per the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

"The timing of discussing non-tendering Chad Cordero is surprising, particularly at this time of the year, but that is the Nationals' prerogative," Reynolds said in a statement after the Nationals were blanked by the Giants on Thursday. "We expect Chad to be fully recovered and if the Nationals decide to non-tender him come December, we will react accordingly. Chad's a proven closer, he is working hard to get back on the mound and I am not concerned regardless of what the Nationals decide to do."

One baseball source said that Cordero is so angry by the early announcement that he plans not to re-sign with the Nationals next year.

Cordero has been one of the best closers in Nationals/Expos history, saving 128 games with a 2.78 ERA.