The Washington Nationals have an early evening game today. The battle for the fifth starter’s spot in the rotation will get us another look at Mitchell Parker who starts this game against the Mets. The Nationals offense will get another look at Clay Holmes. He was very good when the Nationals faced him earlier in the week.
Today’s game will be a 6:05 pm start time at the CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, and we will see if there are any changes to the broadcasting plans because as of now it doesn’t look like there is radio or TV.
The Nationals are at 10-9-1 in Grapefruit League play. Manager Dave Martinez got a nice comeback win against Atlanta. The team is done with long road trips for the remainder of their Grapefruit League schedule.
The Nats have to be pleased with James Wood who continues to rake. He smacked two doubles on Friday and is carrying the team’s highest OPS. Not far behind him is Robert Hassell III who continues to find his hits.
“[Wood] is getting ready in time. He’s not really trying to do a whole lot, which is awesome. His hands, he’s staying through the zone a really long time. To see him turn on balls like that, knowing he can do that, it was great.”
— Martinez said
A few days ago, Martinez was asked about who would be his fifth starter which appears to be a competition between DJ Herz and Mitchell Parker at this point. There might not be enough time for Shinnosuke Ogasawara to show what he has. Let’s look at ERA and WHIP for each: Herz 6.52/1.970, Parker 4.91/1.227, Ogasawara 7.56/2.520. It looks like the competition is between Parker and Herz.
There is still a competition for a couple of bullpen spots, and Orlando Ribalta had a good bounceback inning.
“He bounced back and did well. I could see things in the past unraveling on him, but he came back strong. And I wanted to get him out of there on a positive. I told him: ‘I know in your mind you don’t think you did well. But to watch you come back and bounce back and get outs and keep it close was awesome. Great job.’”
— Martinez said
RHP Zach Brzykcy has been dealing with a quadricep tendon issue, and he wasn’t projected to make the Opening Day roster prior to the announcement of his injury. Amed Rosario was scratched due to soreness in his knee. He hasn’t been moving well most of Spring Training. The newest injury was with Andres Chaparro who hurt his oblique. Again, health is a key. Players will be ramped up in their workload as Spring Training continues.
Here is the 40-man roster as well as a list of the NRI players you will be seeing. As you also had been seeing, players from Minor League camp have been subbing in late to get some action.
There are 12-days until the Opening Day, and we get to see this lineup today:
