Nationalsclub.com | Washington Nationals News, nationals Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div> --RHP Collin Balester, who had been battling for a starting role, was optioned to Class AAA Syracuse. Balester struggled for much of the spring (6.75 ERA in 20 innings), losing the battle for the final two rotation spots to RHPs Jordan Zimmermann and Shairon Martis. Zimmermann, 22, has never pitched above Class AA. He has a 3.14 ERA this spring. Martis, who turns 22 on March 30, has a 1.42 ERA in Grapefruit League play. He went 1-3 with a 5.66 ERA last year in five games (four starts) for Washington.</div>--OF Wily Mo Pena was placed on waivers by the Nationals on March 28. If no other team claims him and picks up his $2 million contract, he could accept an assignment to Class AAA Syracuse or opt for free agency. In other moves, INF Jose Castillo and OF Corey Patterson were reassigned to the Nationals' minor league camp. Castillo failed to make the team despite posting a .387 average this spring. Patterson hit .125. C Javier Valentin declined a minor league assignment, choosing to become a free agent. The recent acquisition of Josh Bard cost Valentin a chance to be Jesus Flores' backup. --1B Dmitri Young's minor league contract was purchased by the Nationals, but he is not likely to make the Opening Day roster. He probably will start the season in extended spring training after being slowed in camp by an ailing back. --CF Lastings Milledge was named the Nationals' leadoff hitter, getting the role for the first time after bouncing around Washington's lineup most of last season. Manager Manny Acta had planned for Milledge to hit in one of the top two spots, but he felt Milledge's patience at the plate made him a better choice than SS Cristian Guzman. --C Josh Bard signed a minor league deal with the Nationals, giving the team another veteran catcher to compete with Wil Nieves for the backup job. Bard, who had been cut by the Red Sox this spring, is a switch hitter with a better offensive track record than Nieves. --2B Anderson Hernandez strained his left hamstring running out a groundball during the March 25 game against the Braves. The injury is a possible blow to the 26-year-old, who has established himself as the front-runner for the Nationals' second base job. --LHP Wil Ledezma appears to be in the mix for the Nationals' left-handed specialist job out of the bullpen. The former Tigers reliever is competing with Mike Hinckley for the role. Manager Manny Acta said that Ledezma's strong work this spring (1.86 ERA through March 27), as well as his effectiveness against right-handers, has made him an intriguing option. BY THE NUMBERS: 9 -- Combined years of major league service time the Nationals are likely to have in their rotation at the beginning of the year. QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's not the ideal scenario. But ... we're not going to make a bad baseball trade just to alleviate one of the outfielders. So we're going to do what's best for the club short-term and long-term." -- Acting GM Mike Rizzo, on how he'll handle the glut of outfielders Washington has on its roster.<div class="spacer10"></div><div class="gray_dots"></div><div id="body_footer_link">Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today </div><div class="gray

--RHP Collin Balester, who had been battling for a starting role, was optioned to Class AAA Syracuse. Balester struggled for much of the spring (6.75 ERA in 20 innings), losing the battle for the final two rotation spots to RHPs Jordan Zimmermann and Shairon Martis. Zimmermann, 22, has never pitched above Class AA. He has a 3.14 ERA this spring. Martis, who turns 22 on March 30, has a 1.42 ERA in Grapefruit League play. He went 1-3 with a 5.66 ERA last year in five games (four starts) for Washington.

--OF Wily Mo Pena was placed on waivers by the Nationals on March 28. If no other team claims him and picks up his $2 million contract, he could accept an assignment to Class AAA Syracuse or opt for free agency. In other moves, INF Jose Castillo and OF Corey Patterson were reassigned to the Nationals' minor league camp. Castillo failed to make the team despite posting a .387 average this spring. Patterson hit .125. C Javier Valentin declined a minor league assignment, choosing to become a free agent. The recent acquisition of Josh Bard cost Valentin a chance to be Jesus Flores' backup.

--1B Dmitri Young's minor league contract was purchased by the Nationals, but he is not likely to make the Opening Day roster. He probably will start the season in extended spring training after being slowed in camp by an ailing back.

--CF Lastings Milledge was named the Nationals' leadoff hitter, getting the role for the first time after bouncing around Washington's lineup most of last season. Manager Manny Acta had planned for Milledge to hit in one of the top two spots, but he felt Milledge's patience at the plate made him a better choice than SS Cristian Guzman.

--C Josh Bard signed a minor league deal with the Nationals, giving the team another veteran catcher to compete with Wil Nieves for the backup job. Bard, who had been cut by the Red Sox this spring, is a switch hitter with a better offensive track record than Nieves.

--2B Anderson Hernandez strained his left hamstring running out a groundball during the March 25 game against the Braves. The injury is a possible blow to the 26-year-old, who has established himself as the front-runner for the Nationals' second base job.

--LHP Wil Ledezma appears to be in the mix for the Nationals' left-handed specialist job out of the bullpen. The former Tigers reliever is competing with Mike Hinckley for the role. Manager Manny Acta said that Ledezma's strong work this spring (1.86 ERA through March 27), as well as his effectiveness against right-handers, has made him an intriguing option.

BY THE NUMBERS: 9 -- Combined years of major league service time the Nationals are likely to have in their rotation at the beginning of the year.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's not the ideal scenario. But ... we're not going to make a bad baseball trade just to alleviate one of the outfielders. So we're going to do what's best for the club short-term and long-term." -- Acting GM Mike Rizzo, on how he'll handle the glut of outfielders Washington has on its roster.

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