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D18 DAILY 02-10-08 MD RE D18 CMYK

D18 Sunday, February 10, 2008 R K x The Washington Post

NationalsPreview By Barry Svrluga

Five Story Lines for 40-Man Roster No. Player B/T Ht. Wt. Age 56 R/R 6-2 175 30 57 Jason Bergmann R/R 6-4 205 26 47 Matt Chico L/L 6-0 205 24 19 Tyler Clippard R/R 6-4 170 22 43 Jesus Colome R/R 6-2 200 30 32 R/R 6-0 195 25 48 R/L 6-5 185 21 38 R/R 6-3 215 26 41 Shawn Hill R/R 6-2 180 26 31 L/L 6-5 200 23 50 Garrett Mock R/R 6-4 215 24 22 R/R 6-6 210 30 51 R/R 6-11 285 29 17 Tim Redding R/R 6-0 195 29 52 Saul Rivera S/R 5-11 155 30 45 R/R 6-3 210 29 35 R/R 6-4 210 25

BY JOHN MCDONNELL — THE WASHINGTON POST BY RICKY CARIOTI — THE WASHINGTON POST WHO’S ON FIRST? No. Player B/T Ht. Wt. Age When the Nationals arrived in Viera a year ago, Dmitri Young, right, was a troubled, overweight afterthought, and , left, was supposed to be back from a 23 S/R 5-11 210 31 broken leg by, say, June 1. A year later, Young has recast himself as the NL comeback player of the year and signed a two-year, $10 million extension, and Johnson has 1 yet to play. Now, Johnson, whose 2006 on-base percentage of .428 can transform the lineup, is out to prove he’s healthy. Young, whose .320 average was the highest 3 Jesus Flores R/R 6-1 185 23 of his 12-year career, is out to prove ’07 wasn’t a fluke. Neither can play another position. What gives? 16 Paul Lo Duca R/R 5-10 205 35

INFIELDERS No. Player B/T Ht. Wt. Age 10 R/R 5-8 195 32 8 Aaron Boone R/R 6-2 200 34 5 Kory Casto L/R 6-1 195 26 15 Cristian Guzmán S/R 6-0 195 29 24 Nick Johnson L/L 6-3 225 29 2 Felipe López S/R 6-1 185 27 74 Josh Whitesell L/L 6-3 220 25 BY CHRIS O’MEARA — ASSOCIATED PRESS BY TONI L. SANDYS — THE WASHINGTON POST BY WILFREDO LEE — ASSOCIATED PRESS BY JOHN MCDONNELL — THE WASHINGTON POST 7 Matthew Whitney R/R 6-4 200 23 TROUBLED CHILDREN? LIVIN’ LA VIDA LO DUCA MUDDLED MIDDLE GROWTH ON THE FARM 21 Dmitri Young S/R 6-2 220 34 The Nationals traded for When the Nationals traded When the Nationals Now that the Nationals 11 R/R 6-2 210 23 2 two with 3 C (and OF 4 reported to spring training 5 have taken steps to enormous potential and ) to land last year, Cristian Guzmán revitalize their OUTFIELDERS turbulent pasts. , 22, Milledge, they filled the gap by signing was the , Felipe López, left, long-moribund farm system — their cut an inappropriate hip-hop song and veteran Paul Lo Duca to a one-year, $5 the , and Ronnie 2007 draft was rated as the best in the No. Player B/T Ht. Wt. Age rankled veteran teammates with the million deal. Two problems: In Belliard, right, was unemployed. Now, majors by America — the 77 L/L 6-0 170 23 Mets. , 23, has a history of December, Lo Duca appeared Belliard is coming off a solid season in focus soon will turn to when that 34 Elijah Dukes R/R 6-2 250 23 arrests and accusations of domestic prominently in the on which he .290, Guzmán must system will produce stud major violence. Milledge, once the primary performance-enhancing drug use, and rebound from a thumb injury and leaguers. Though most of the best 55 Garrett Guzman L/L 5-10 175 25 bait in what would have been a he has not yet addressed that situation. López, with a putrid .308 on-base prospects — Chris 1 Willie Harris L/R 5-9 170 29 blockbuster deal for Boston’s Manny In January, he tore the meniscus in his percentage, must right himself. The Marrero, Michael Burgess, Ramirez, will get a shot to be the center left knee while working out, and likely club is saying Belliard will start at and left-handed pitchers Jack McGeary 25 R/R 6-4 225 27 fielder. Dukes, who homered 10 times won’t be ready until March. His silence second, Guzmán at short, and López and — remain years 29 Ryan Langerhans L/L 6-3 205 27 in his first 148 major league at-bats, is a and his injury will make his arrival at must fight for time. Will that be true away, pitchers such as Ross Detwiler 12 Rob Mackowiak L/R 5-11 195 31 backup for now. If they mature on — spring training an event. on ? and could arrive but especially off — the field, both sometime this year. 30 Justin Maxwell R/R 6-5 225 24 could be mainstays in Washington. 44 Lastings Milledge R/R 6-0 205 22 26 Wily Mo Peña R/R 6-3 245 26

Nationals Enter New Season Looking Good on Delivery Space Coast Stadium NATIONALS, From D1 the Nationals believe, is more concentrated. and he’s coming to spring train- Hill, 26, said he is 100 percent cleared to Opened: 1994. “I know I have at least five to six guys that ing to compete for a spot?” Still, each of the participate in drills following two minor sur- Seating capacity: 8,100. the field of potential starting pitchers has went out there and pitched for us last year pitchers has questions to go along with his geries in October. He draws even more in- Dimensions: 340 feet to the left and right field been whittled to a fraction of what it was last and didn’t embarrass themselves,” Acta potential. In fact, the pair with perhaps the ternal praise when he’s healthy. fences; 404 feet to center. year at this time. Though three dozen pitch- said. “Every one of them that pitched reg- most raw talent — Hill and Patterson — “If he can make 30 starts, he’d win a Cy Address: 5800 Stadium Pkwy., Viera, Fla. ers still will assemble, the club, like Chico, ularly for us had an ERA below 5. I know I also have perhaps the most to prove given Young,” Chico said. “He’s got that kind of 32940. has a better idea of what to expect. The ran- have those guys there. We’re not searching recent injuries. potential.” Ticket prices: Batter’s box, $24; box seats, dom cast of retreads largely is gone. The for- for them.” Patterson, who turned 30 last month, has This about a guy who has made 25 starts $20 (lower deck) and $17 (upper deck); lorn and the forgotten have been replaced by But culling better performances — Wash- been limited by a series of nerve ailments in in his major league career. But Hill’s baf- bleacher, $10; berm $8. what the Nationals hope are a few pieces of ington’s starters pitched the fewest innings his right arm over the past two seasons, fling — which opponents have, unso- How to get tickets: www.nationals.com, the future. of any team in the last year when he combined to make only 15 starts. licited, compared to that of Arizona’s Bran- 888-632-6287. “It’s a big difference,” second-year manag- — still will be a challenge. This is, to be Long gone is 2005, when he occasionally don Webb — makes him seem rife with po- er said by telephone last week. sure, a tenuous bunch, one marked by fragil- looked dominant in starting 31 times and tential. In going 4-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 16 “We’re not out there looking for a whole ity and inexperience. Take Chico. While no posting a 3.13 ERA. Where does that leave starts last year, he gave up more than three pitching staff.” NL rookie made more than his 31 starts or the Patterson of ’08? earned runs just twice. FLORIDA Acta is careful not to get into the “five- tossed more than his 167 innings in 2007, he “A healthy John Patterson, if you look The Nationals believe even the unfamiliar Cape guys-vying-for-four-spots” type of game with also allowed the most homers, earned runs back at 2005, is a potential number one or commodities — such as Clippard, acquired 528 95 Canaveral Air Station the rotation, because there still is a competi- and walks, going 7-9 with a 4.63 ERA. number two guy,” Acta said. “But it’s been in an offseason trade with the New York 528 tion to come. But he knows now what he “I’m fighting for a spot,” Chico said by three years now. First, we have to see if he’s Yankees — have more promise than the 520 Cocoa didn’t know a year ago: If they are healthy phone. He’s just doing it a bit differently. healthy.” group of unknowns last year. Thus, to this — and the “if” should be simultaneously “Now, having the confidence of knowing Patterson intends to display his health im- point they haven’t aggressively pursued the Space Coast 0 5 Stadium marked in bold and ALL CAPS and italics — he can pitch up here,” Hill said of his team- mediately. Since having surgery to relieve remaining free agents on the market, a MILES Hill, Chico, Jason Bergmann, John Pat- mate, “he can just go out and pitch and not pressure on the radial nerve in his right arm group that includes Liván Hernández, their terson and Tim Redding all can pitch in the worry about the nonsense, about what re- in September, he has progressed according Opening Day starter in 2005 and ’06. Viera 1 majors. He knows if they break down, a porters are saying and all that. He knows he to plan, he said. Last week, at home in “We want to see how these young players 95 Atlantic FL. Ocean young group of arms that includes John Lan- can do it. If you just do your job properly, ev- Texas, he threw 100 pitches in a workout develop,” General Manager Melbourne nan, Collin Balester, Tyler Clippard, Garrett erything will take care of itself.” session — , and sliders. said. Orlando 192 Mock and eventually even Ross Detwiler, Though Acta is not giving away spots in “I feel like I’m healthy,” Patterson said by How they do will determine not only Detail last year’s first-round pick, is developing the rotation, he says of Chico, “How can you phone, before revising the statement. “No, I much about 2008, but some aspects of 2009 Miami with varying degrees of promise. The talent, tell guys that led our team in don’t feel like it. I know I’m healthy. — and beyond. BY NATHANIEL VAUGHN KELSO — THE WASHINGTON POST

Key Dates Spring Training Schedule Depth Chart Probable starters pictured at each position

Saturday 27 28 29 1 FIRST BASE LEFT FIELD STARTING First workout, Dmitri Young Wily Mo Peña PITCHERS FLORIDA pitchers and FEB./MARCH GEORGETOWN FLORIDA BALTIMORE Nick Johnson Elijah Dukes Shawn Hill catchers. Sites in Florida except final game; all times p.m. Jupiter Viera (Exhib.) Viera Viera Aaron Boone Rob Mackowiak Jason Bergmann Home games shaded 7:05 1:05 Feb. 21 11:30 a.m. 1:05 Hill John Patterson First workout, Tim Redding 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Matt Chico full squad. BALT., 1:05 L.A., 1:05 ST. LOUIS ST. LOUIS N.Y. METS FLORIDA HOUSTON Ft. Lauderdale Viera SECOND BASE CENTER FIELD John Lannan HOU., 1:05 Viera L.A., 7:05 Jupiter Viera Jupiter Kissimmee Ronnie Belliard Lastings Milledge Tyler Clippard Kissimmee 1:05 Vero Beach 1:05 7:05 1:05 1:05 Felipe López Elijah Dukes Chico Collin Balester* Coaches * Ryan Langerhans Manager 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 CLE., 1:05 CLE., 1:05 Manny Acta DETROIT ATLANTA LOS ANGELES FLORIDA LOS ANGELES Viera Viera RELIEF PITCHERS Bench CLE., 1:05 Viera Lake Buena Vista Vero Beach Viera CLE., 7:05 Viera Pat Corrales Winter Haven 1:05 1:05 1:05 7:05 Winter Haven 1:05 SHORTSTOP RIGHT FIELD Chad Cordero First Base Cristian Guzmán Austin Kearns Jon Rauch Jerry Morales 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Felipe López Elijah Dukes Luis Ayala Cordero BALTIMORE N.Y. METS DETROIT HOUSTON N.Y. METS ATLANTA Ronnie Belliard Rob Mackowiak Saul Rivera Third Base Jesus Colome Ft. Lauderdale Viera Lakeland Viera Port St. Lucie Viera * Hitting 1:05 1:05 1:05 7:05 1:10 1:05 Ryan Wagner

Lenny Harris 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 THIRD BASE Chris Schroder Ryan Zimmerman Paul Lo Duca Rauch Katsuhiko Maekawa* Pitching FLORIDA DETROIT ST. LOUIS ATLANTA BALTIMORE BALTIMORE Randy St. Claire Aaron Boone Johnny Estrada Joel Hanrahan Jupiter Viera Jupiter Lake Buena Vista Viera Ronnie Belliard Jesus Flores Mike Bacsik*

Bullpen 1:05 1:05 1:05 1:05 1:05 6:05

Rick Aponte * Not on 40-man roster, but will be in major league camp

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