March 30, 2009 [LINK / comment]
Spring training has provided some surprises for the Washington Nationals. Shairon Martis and Jordan Zimmermann earned slots as starting pitchers, while Collin Balester has been demoted to the minors. Zimmermann won't join the active squad until the middle of the month, however, because the Nats' schedule for the first two weeks allows them to get by with a four-man rotation. See MLB.com. Here is how the rotation looks right now:
Another surprise is that Dmitri Young is healthy, and just might make the team after all. Wily Mo Peña was placed on waivers, meanwhile. See MLB.com. If the Nationals can find a way to use him, Nick Johnson, and Adam Dunn, they might have a hell of a good slugging lineup this year. It depends on whether Ryan Zimmerman, Lastings Milledge, and Austin Kearns live up to their expectations.
Would anyone care to guess what momentous (baseball) event took place in Our Nation's Capital one Year Ago Today? Opening Night* at Nationals Park!!!