The Washington Nationals fly out of Florida in two weeks from tomorrow to head to Washington, D.C. Most likely, they will bring about 30-to-32 players with them for the exhibition game on March 24, and then they will quietly have their final cuts that they will make official three days later for Opening Day on Thursday, March 27 against the Phillies.
As long as everyone is healthy, there should be just four roster spots still in battles for the fifth starter in the rotation, final bench spot, and the final two spots in the bullpen.
Still left to decide:
– Starter #5: DJ Herz, Mitchell Parker, or Shinnosuke Ogasawara?
– Bench spot #4: Andres Chaparro, Juan Yepez, Jose Tena, Nasim Nuñez…?
– Bullpen spots #6-8: Eduardo Salazar, Colin Poche, Evan Reifert, Brad Lord, Clay Helvey, Orlando Ribalta…?
For the position players, figure Paul DeJong has locked down starting third base, Riley Adams has likely locked down backup catcher, assuming health. Tena is fading hard in my opinion in the bench discussion, while Nuñez’s play might have manager Dave Martinez wondering what he’ll do without him on the roster; Chaparro is in pole position there, though, I think.
For the bullpen, Jackson Rutledge and Zach Brzykcy haven’t kept pace in the bullpen conversation, and a few more have already been reassigned. Would say final three spots in the bullpen; figure Kyle Finnegan, Pablo López, Jose A. Ferrer, Derek Law, and Lucas Sims are the locks if healthy. Salazar has looked good, but he has options. (Ditto Ribalta.) Reifert has to be either carried on the MLB roster, or offered back to Tampa per Rule-5 regulations. Poche presumably can opt out, but the Nats have to like him enough to bump someone off the roster for him. Lord also would need a roster spot, but could fill a niche as a long man
For the starting rotation, none of Herz, Parker, or Ogasawara have really separated himself; Parker might be positioned to grab the ring with a good performance Monday.
I don’t think Amed Rosario has or is likely to play his way off the team, but he’s not exactly made me eat my words so far. Straight up hasn’t been very good. Doesn’t look like he’s playing at full capability and/or effort either, for what it’s worth.
Those are my thoughts, what do you think?
