On Wednesday, the Nats leave Florida on a Delta jet flight back to Washington DC after their final Grapefruit League game against the Mets in Port St. Lucie. The final cuts have not been made yet, however the roster has been modified starting with Matt Belisle reportedly making the Nats opening day roster.
Belisle had opt-out decision yesterday and he will earn $1.25 million for making the big league roster.
Sean Burnett passed the test of pitching well in back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday and should be assured of a roster spot in the bullpen.
The Nats have reassigned LHP Aaron Laffey, OF Tony Campana, RHP Nick Masset, INF Scott Sizemore & C Jhonatan Solano to Minor League. camp, and Trea Turner and Rafael Martin to AAA.
That brings the Nats to 32 players left at camp however Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Barrett won’t make the Opening Day roster making it essentially 30 remaining with Gott, Burnett and Treinen still in the mix as well as Brendan Ryan, Reed Johnson, Matt den Dekker and Chris Heisey for the last bench spot.
The complication is that the Nats adding Belisle takes the Nats 40 man roster back to 40 as they had the one spot open with the departure of Tyler Moore. Rizzo can open up one more spot on the 4p man roster by shifting Aaron Barrett to the 60 Day Disabled List.
If the Nats add Burnett and Heisey to the Opening Day roster than Rizzo would need to clear one more spot.
