--RHP Tim Redding will undergo left foot surgery on Nov. 28, but he is expected to be healthy by the beginning of spring training.
--LHP Scott Olsen, acquired earlier this month from the Marlins, could pitch his way into the Opening Day assignment. That would be significant on several levels, because Olsen always said he wanted to be Florida's ace but never got the job. And Washington opens 2009 in Miami against the left-hander's old club. Olsen's competition for the Opening Day nod figures to be LHP John Lannan and RHP Tim Redding. --INF Pete Orr will return in 2009 after signing a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. The versatile utility man hit .253 in 49 games last season, but he was outrighted to Class AAA Syracuse in October and elected to become a free agent. After the Nationals traded 2B Emilio Bonifacio to Florida, though, Orr approached the Nationals about returning and came to agreement on a minor league deal that will give him a shot to make the club next spring.
--LHP John Lannan was named to Topps' Major League Rookie All-Star team after a strong season with Washington. The young left-hander, who made six starts in 2007 but retained his rookie status, went 9-15 with a 3.91 ERA in 2008. His 21 quality starts led all rookies.
--OF Roger Bernadina strained a calf muscle while playing winter ball in Venezuela, but the injury is not believed to be serious. Nationals team doctors examined Bernadina and determined he could be back on the field after two weeks of strength and conditioning.
--Washington named its 2009 coaching staffs for its top three minor league affiliates. Class AAA Syracuse will be managed by Tim Foli, with Steve McCatty as pitching coach and Darnell Coles as hitting coach. John Stearns will return to manage Class AA Harrisburg (Pa.), with pitching coach Randy Tomlin and hitting coach Troy Gingrich. Class A Potomac (Woodbridge, Va.) will have a new manager in Trent Jewett, who will be aided by pitching coach Paul Meinhart and hitting coach Jerry Browne.
BY THE NUMBERS: 14 -- Most home runs hit by a National in 2008, by Lastings Milledge and Ryan Zimmerman.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I pride myself on the fact that I can be out there every five days. As an ace, I think that's what you have to do. I'm sure I'm not the only one out of that rotation that wants to be that. I expect an open competition." -- Newly acquired LHP Scott Olsen, on his desire to start Opening Day.
