With a final flurry of moves that favored scrap-heap relievers over in-house options and gave their bullpen more left-handers, theWashingtonNationals finalized their 25-man roster Saturday afternoon, two days before opening the season in Miami against the 

No. 

The Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals have some major hurdles to climb to compete in the NL East. 

In setting their opening-day roster, the Washington Nationals opted for two unusual trios: They will begin the season with three left-handed relievers and three catchers. 

As they so often do, the Washington Nationals trotted out Ryan Zimmerman to represent the team Saturday night. 

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman wants negotiations for a long-term contract to end when the regular season starts. 

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman wants negotiations for a long-term contract to end when the regular season starts. 

The Nationals' attempts to upgrade their roster haven't slowed down since general manager Jim Bowden resigned on March 1. 

The Nationals organization, from the front office to the bullpen, looks completely different than it did before pitchers and catchers reported on Feb. 

--1B Dmitri Young was added to the 40-man roster but placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hip and back strain, retroactive to April 1. 

The Nationals' attempts to upgrade their roster haven't slowed down since general manager Jim Bowden resigned on March 1. 

--1B Dmitri Young was added to the 40-man roster but placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hip and back strain, retroactive to April 1. 

The Nationals organization, from the front office to the bullpen, looks completely different than it did before pitchers and catchers reported on Feb. 

If Koji Uehara pitches this season the way he did on Friday, the Baltimore Orioles will be thrilled with their $10 million investment. 

The Washington Nationals trimmed their spring training roster by three on Friday, outrighting infielder Kory Casto and left-handed pitcher Mike O'Connor to Triple-A Syracuse and placing right-handed reliever Terrell Young on the 15-day disabled list with