Harper optioned to Syracuse

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Bryce Harper went 8-for-28 with two doubles and zero RBI this spring.

Mike Rizzo said all along he would keep an open mind watching Bryce Harper compete this spring for a spot on the Opening Day roster, but the Nationals general manager knew the 19-year-old was going to have to do something extraordinary to come north with the big-league club.

Though he impressed and occasionally dazzled with his athletic ability, hustle and mature attitude over the last month, in the end Harper wasn't deemed ready for prime time, so the Nationals today optioned their top prospect to Class AAA Syracuse.

Harper was one of four players cut from big-league camp following today's game. First baseman Tyler Moore and catcher Jhonatan Solano also were optioned to Syracuse, with infielder Mark Teahen re-assigned to minor-league camp.

Harper, who has only one season of professional experience and spent only 37 games at Class AA Harrisburg last summer, figured all along to need some more time in the minors. But his demotion today perhaps

Nats vs. Tigers - 3/18/12

File photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER

Edwin Jackson faces the Tigers today at Space Coast Stadium.

It's a rare event indeed when the visiting lineup at a spring training game features more regulars than the home lineup. That does appear to be the case today in Viera, where Jim Leyland is bringing several of his big names (headlined by Miguel Cabrera) to face Edwin Jackson and the Nationals.

Davey Johnson's lineup boasts only four regulars: Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa, Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth. That's because the other four regulars (Michael Morse, Adam LaRoche, Rick Ankiel, Wilson Ramos) are all battling various nagging injuries to various degrees.

Jackson, meanwhile, becomes the first member of the Nationals rotation to make his fourth start of the spring. The right-hander has looked really good so far (1.93 ERA to date) though he struggled somewhat in his last outing.

Charlie and Dave have the radio call for the Nationals' final game before their lone off day of the spring. Then come Tuesday, I'll be back in Florida to provide full coverage and game updates through the remainder of camp...

DETROIT TIGERS vs. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Space Coast Stadium, Viera
Gametime: 1:05 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 178
Weather: Sunny, 80 degrees, Wind 12 mph LF to RF

STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Ryan Zimmerman
CF Jayson Werth

Nats sign Nady to minor-league deal

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Xavier Nady hit .248 with four homers in 82 games for the Diamondbacks last year.

The Nationals have signed Xavier Nady to a minor-league contract, though the veteran outfielder/first baseman will not get an invitation to big-league camp yet, the club announced this morning.

Nady, 33, is a career .275 hitter with 97 homers and 393 RBI over parts of 10 seasons with the Padres, Mets, Pirates, Yankees, Cubs and Diamondbacks. Beset by injuries in recent years, he appeared in only 82 games for Arizona last season, hitting .248 with four homers and 35 RBI.

The Nationals scouted Nady in California last week and came away impressed enough to offer him a minor-league contract, general manager Mike Rizzo told reporters in Viera. He'll report to minor-league camp for now and likely open the season at Class AAA Syracuse.

Given his experience at both corner outfield positions and first base, Nady could be insurance in case lingering injuries to left fielder Michael

Nats vs. Marlins (ss) - 3/17/12

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The Nationals host the Marlins today at Space Coast Stadium.

We're smack dab in the middle of that nebulous period of spring training. It's still too far from Opening Day to make any rash conclusions, but it's just close enough to start wondering about a few things ... especially when it comes to nagging injuries.

The Nationals are dealing with several of them right now, highlighted by Michael Morse (lat), Adam LaRoche (ankle) and Rick Ankiel (quad). All are out of the lineup again today, though they were expected to get at-bats in a minor-league game. The Morse injury is particularly curious, because while he's fine swinging a bat, it still hampers his throwing. He's yet to play in left field this spring. Sooner or later, he's got to be able to do that.

As for the biggest injury of camp so far, Chien-Ming Wang is reportedly feeling much better after straining his hamstring on that awkward play Thursday. The club (ie. Davey Johnson) continues to downplay the severity of it, but I still don't see how Wang could be ready to make his first start of the season. Even if the hamstring is healed in the next 2-3 weeks as expected, he'll still need to make at least a couple more spring training or rehab starts before he's ready. Remember, he hasn't even thrown three innings in a game yet. The Nats won't put him out there in a real game until he's established he can go five innings.

Back to today's game, Jordan Zimmermann is on the mound against a Marlins split-squad lineup that will have pitcher Tom Koehler bat even though the Nats are using a DH. Ah, the quirks of spring training. Enjoy the game and the discussion...

MIAMI MARLINS (ss) vs. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Space Coast Stadium, Viera
Gametime: 1:05 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), MLB Gameday Audio
Weather: Mostly sunny, 80 degrees, Wind 9 mph LF to RF

STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Ryan Zimmerman
DH Mark DeRosa

Nats extend agreements with 4 affiliates

Photo courtesy Harrisburg Senators

Harrisburg's Metro Bank Park will continue to house the Nats' Class AA affiliate.

The Nationals have extended their minor-league affiliations with four clubs, ensuring they'll remain partners with Class AAA Syracuse, Class AA Harrisburg, high-Class A Potomac and short-season Class A Auburn.

The two-year extensions run through 2014.

"We could not be more pleased to make this commitment," general manager Mike Rizzo said in announcing the agreements. "To make this announcement so early in the season speaks to how much we value our relationships and the environments cultivated by the good people in Syracuse, Harrisburg, Potomac and Auburn. We take our affiliate relations very seriously in Washington. They are a vital part of our family and we know that with time, these bonds will only strengthen."

After a period of steady changes among their Class AAA affiliates (from New Orleans to Columbus to Syracuse), the Nationals now have established some stability with their top minor-league outlet. The organization signed on with the Chiefs in 2009, and this represents the