--RHP Kip Wells signed a minor league contract with the Nationals and will attempt to crack the Opening Day roster as a reliever. The 31-year-old struggled last season in 25 combined appearances with the Rockies and Royals. He's had success as a starter in the past, especially during 2002-03 with the Pirates, but he has been plagued by injuries (including problems with blood clots in his arm) in recent years. Nationals manager Manny Acta said the club would look at Wells as a reliever for now, because the club needs more help in the bullpen than in the rotation.

--SS Carlos Alvarez, the top prospect formerly known as Esmailyn Gonzalez, did not report to spring training with the rest of the minor league position players on March 13 due to visa issues. Alvarez was discovered earlier this spring to have created a false identity when he signed with the Nationals for $1.4 million in July 2006. He said he was 16 at the time but was actually 20. The Nationals have decided to let the Dominican shortstop return to the organization and try to continue to progress through the system, but he'll get a delayed start this spring because of the visa issue in his home country.

--RHP Daniel Cabrera singled to right field in his first at-bat of the spring March 11, an event that normally wouldn't make headlines except for Cabrera's long history of struggles at the plate. The lanky pitcher, who spent the last five seasons in the American League with the Orioles, is a career 0-for-14 with 14 strikeouts as a hitter. But he's been working hard this spring with Nationals coaches to improve his stroke, and it paid off in his first at-bat against the Braves. "I'm starting good over here," Cabrera said. "I'm 1-for-1 now."

--RHP Shawn Hill is slowly trying to return for his latest bout with forearm pain. The oft-injured pitcher, who was shut down earlier this month and sent to Pensacola, Fla., to be examined by orthopedist James Andrews, threw off flat ground March 11 without trouble and was preparing to throw off a bullpen mound for the first time. The Nationals hope Hill can work his way back onto a schedule that would allow him to open the season in their rotation.

--LHP Ross Detwiler, the Nationals' first-round draft pick in 2007, was among the first 10 players cut from big-league camp this spring. Detwiler made late-season strides with high Class A Potomac (Woodbridge, Va.) in 2008, but he didn't look particularly sharp in spring training. Nationals coaches said they want Detwiler to get more innings in the minor league camp and expect him to continue his progression through the club's system. Also cut on March 10 were LHP Mike O'Connor, LHP Justin Jones, RHP Bobby Brownlie, RHP Preston Larrison, RHP J.D. Martin, C Javier Herrera, 1B Chris Marrero, 1B Matt Whitney and OF Destin Hood.

--RHP Julian Tavarez signed a minor league deal with the Nationals, who are looking for bullpen help. Tavarez, 35, pitched for Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta last year, posting a combined 5.10 ERA.

BY THE NUMBERS: 3.43 -- ERA posted by RHP Kip Wells in 64 starts with the Pirates from 2002-03. Wells signed a minor league contract with the Nationals.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "So far, whoever's teaching him how to hit is a hit." -- Manager Manny Acta, after RHP Daniel Cabrera singled in his first at-bat of the spring. Cabrera is 0-for-14 with 14 strikeouts in his career at the plate.