NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE 

After a slow offseason, the Nationals made a big splash just before spring training, signing 1B/OF Adam Dunn. 

--LHP Mike O'Connor was optioned to Class AAA Syracuse. 

Mike Rizzo has worked in major league front offices for 27 years, all of it geared toward one career goal: to become general manager of a big-league club. 

Jordan Zimmermann's dominant pitching has been one of the highlights at Washington Nationals camp. 

The next phase of the Carlos Alvarez saga could begin as early as Friday - or whenever the former Esmailyn Gonzalez is able to obtain a visa from the Dominican Republic - when the shortstop reports for theWashingtonNationals' minor league camp. 

The Washington Nationals optioned left-hander Mike O'Connor to Triple-A Syracuse and left-hander Ross Detwiler to Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday in their first round of spring training cuts. 

Austin Kearns is making up for lost time, and a reconfigured batting stance is paying dividends. 

After a slow offseason, the Nationals made a big splash just before spring training, signing 1B/OF Adam Dunn. 

Mike Rizzo has worked in major league front offices for 27 years, all of it geared toward one career goal: to become general manager of a big-league club. 

--RHP Shawn Hill was bumped from his scheduled start March 5 due to tightness in his right forearm. 

LAKELAND, Fla. 

Rick Eckstein doesn't recall the time, place or location, but he remembers exactly what Roger Bernadina said to him. 

Trio of players still sidelined 

Trio of players still sidelined