Nationalsclub.com | Washington Nationals News, nationals Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div> --RHP Daniel Cabrera officially signed with the Nationals on Dec. 29, after the former Oriole passed a physical that included an MRI of his right shoulder and right elbow. Cabrera, who will make $2.6 million this season, was non-tendered by Baltimore after going 8-12 with a 5.50 ERA in 2008.</div>--OF Austin Kearns could be forced to fight for playing time this spring after the Nationals acquired OF Josh Willingham in a trade from the Marlins in November. Kearns, who missed time with elbow and ankle injuries last season, wasn't productive in the time he was in the lineup. He hit .217 with seven homers and 32 RBIs in 86 games in 2008. --Barry Larkin, who was a special assistant to general manager Jim Bowden last season, has left the team for a job at the newly formed MLB Network. Larkin was believed to be a candidate for one of the Nationals' open coaching positions last fall, but he had previously said he wasn't sure how much time he wanted to spend on the road. --RHP Jason Bergmann likely will have an even tougher time making the rotation this spring now that the team has signed RHP Daniel Cabrera. Bergmann struggled with his mechanics at times last year, was optioned to the minors in April and moved to the team's bullpen at the end of the season, ending the year a far cry from the pitcher who threw 19 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings in May. He will likely fight RHPs Jordan Zimmermann, Shawn Hill and Shairon Martis for the team's final starting spot. --3B Ryan Zimmerman enters his first year of arbitration needing a big 2009 season to secure the kind of long-term deal that seemed a certainty for the team's would-be franchise player last spring. Zimmerman missed 50 games with a labral tear in his left shoulder, recovering from a slow start to hit .283. However, he didn't show the kind of power numbers the Nationals expect him to display as he matures. The 24-year-old hit 14 homers and drove in 51 runs. BY THE NUMBERS: $20.5 million -- Money the Nationals have committed to four players who might not be in their 2009 Opening Day lineup: OF Austin Kearns ($8 million), OF Wily Mo Pena ($2 million), 1B Nick Johnson ($5.5 million) and 1B Dmitri Young ($5 million). QUOTE TO NOTE: "We really felt we were one of the final three teams. We certainly knew our offer was competitive with everybody. The question was whether geography and family was going to be enough to convince him to come to Washington. At the end of the day, it wasn't. We wish him the best, and we'll continue to enjoy his career, except when he plays against us." -- GM Jim Bowden, on how realistic he felt the Nationals' chances were of landing free agent 1B Mark Teixeira.

--RHP Daniel Cabrera officially signed with the Nationals on Dec. 29, after the former Oriole passed a physical that included an MRI of his right shoulder and right elbow. Cabrera, who will make $2.6 million this season, was non-tendered by Baltimore after going 8-12 with a 5.50 ERA in 2008.

--OF Austin Kearns could be forced to fight for playing time this spring after the Nationals acquired OF Josh Willingham in a trade from the Marlins in November. Kearns, who missed time with elbow and ankle injuries last season, wasn't productive in the time he was in the lineup. He hit .217 with seven homers and 32 RBIs in 86 games in 2008.

--Barry Larkin, who was a special assistant to general manager Jim Bowden last season, has left the team for a job at the newly formed MLB Network. Larkin was believed to be a candidate for one of the Nationals' open coaching positions last fall, but he had previously said he wasn't sure how much time he wanted to spend on the road.

--RHP Jason Bergmann likely will have an even tougher time making the rotation this spring now that the team has signed RHP Daniel Cabrera. Bergmann struggled with his mechanics at times last year, was optioned to the minors in April and moved to the team's bullpen at the end of the season, ending the year a far cry from the pitcher who threw 19 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings in May. He will likely fight RHPs Jordan Zimmermann, Shawn Hill and Shairon Martis for the team's final starting spot.

--3B Ryan Zimmerman enters his first year of arbitration needing a big 2009 season to secure the kind of long-term deal that seemed a certainty for the team's would-be franchise player last spring. Zimmerman missed 50 games with a labral tear in his left shoulder, recovering from a slow start to hit .283. However, he didn't show the kind of power numbers the Nationals expect him to display as he matures. The 24-year-old hit 14 homers and drove in 51 runs.

BY THE NUMBERS: $20.5 million -- Money the Nationals have committed to four players who might not be in their 2009 Opening Day lineup: OF Austin Kearns ($8 million), OF Wily Mo Pena ($2 million), 1B Nick Johnson ($5.5 million) and 1B Dmitri Young ($5 million).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We really felt we were one of the final three teams. We certainly knew our offer was competitive with everybody. The question was whether geography and family was going to be enough to convince him to come to Washington. At the end of the day, it wasn't. We wish him the best, and we'll continue to enjoy his career, except when he plays against us." -- GM Jim Bowden, on how realistic he felt the Nationals' chances were of landing free agent 1B Mark Teixeira.