Mark Zuckerman

Pitchers and catchers report for spring training tomorrow. And so do I. Welcome to Nats Journal. Hope you'll join me on this new endeavor, and hope you'll help spread the word! natsjournal.com/p/welcome-to-n…

Zack Littell could really use another spring training start before making his regular-season debut for the Nationals. Alas, the calendar won't cooperate and the righty's only option is to return to West Palm Beach next week for a minor-league tune-up. natsjournal.com/p/laboring-lit…

Another inning, another walk for Willits, another double for Fien.

The Spring Breakout game just opened with an Eli Willits leadoff walk and stolen base, followed by a Gavin Fien RBI double. Hey, I wrote about those two highly touted young infielders a couple weeks ago! natsjournal.com/p/side-by-side…

Spring Breakout: Nats RHP Davian García vs Cardinals (4:30/Nationals.TV-MLB feed)

Zack Littell says he'll be flying north with the Nats after Saturday's game but will then come back to Florida to make another start in a minor-league spring game before rejoining the team in Chicago for Opening Day.

Zack Littell wasn't sharp today: Pulled after throwing 59 pitches in only 2 2/3 innings. Walked 4 batters, which is highly uncharacteristic for a guy who normally has one of the lowest walk rates in baseball. Curious to see how Nats handle him, with little time before opener.

Nats and Cards are underway on a 73-degree Thursday afternoon in Jupiter. Zack Littell making his second start of the spring, all regulars in the lineup.

Josiah Gray wasn't surprised to be optioned to Triple-A, but he does feel like he's "so close to being the pitcher I was before" after missing nearly two years. Plus, Robert Hassell III's demotion likely leaves just one bench decision left for the Nats. natsjournal.com/p/gray-hassell…

Nationals have optioned Josiah Gray, Robert Hassell III and Julian Fernandez to AAA. Zach Penrod also reassigned to minor-league camp. Not a surprise with Gray, whose workload can be managed in Rochester before he eventually gets called up. Hassell's demotion a bit of a surprise

New episode of @Nats_Chat : * The Ford demotion * How the rotation is lining up * Concern about Crews * Is defense still going to be a problem? natschatpodcast.com/episode-posts/…

Nats RHP Littell vs Cardinals TBA, 1:05 in Jupiter

No game to watch this evening, but there is a new episode of @Nats_Chat to listen to!

Tonight’s game has been canceled due to rain. No makeup.

The Nationals optioned Harry Ford to AAA today, making Keibert Ruiz their No. 1 catcher for now, but Blake Butera insisted "he’s going to be a huge part of our future." Plus, a first base platoon appears to be set, and lineups for tonight's game: natsjournal.com/p/ford-optione…

Nats RHP Littell vs Marlins LHP Braxton in West Palm Beach (6:05/Nationals.TV)

Harry Ford was optioned to AAA, along with Abimelec Ortiz. Riley Adams also was reassigned to minor-league camp. Nats will open the season with Keibert Ruiz and Drew Millas behind the plate. Ford will get to play every day in Rochester.

Blake Butera can live with offensive struggles or pitching problems. But sloppy defense? That gets the Nationals’ rookie manager upset. Why? “Defense is controllable, in my mind.” natsjournal.com/p/in-the-field…

Ex-Nat on Ex-Nat crime. (One of them a bit more prominent than the other.)

Today’s game report: Jake Irvin moves closer to locking up the fifth starter’s job, Brady House continues to produce and the final bullpen candidates are making the decision difficult. natsjournal.com/p/game-report-…

5 scoreless today for Jake Irvin, whose spring ERA is down to 1.35. Debatable if that matters, but perhaps more significant: He has 15 K in 13.1 IP after striking out only 6.2 batters per 9 IP last season.