--3B Ryan Zimmerman has hopes of winning a Gold Glove award this season, but he still needs to learn not to get lazy on routine plays. Zimmerman committed an error in Monday's opener, getting a little too casual with Florida OF Brett Carroll's sixth-inning grounder. Zimmerman's soft throw to first bounced in the dirt and allowed Carroll to advance all the way to second. One batter later, he couldn't come up with a slow bouncer in front of a him, a play that was scored a hit but one Zimmerman thought he should have made.
--OF Austin Kearns won the spring battle over OF Elijah Dukes and will start in right field on opening day. Kearns, who struggled through a miserable season, came back strong this spring with a .279 average and a team-high four homers and 10 RBIs. Dukes, meanwhile, hit only .212 and struck out a team-high 22 times. "We told our players there was going to be competition," manager Manny Acta said. "I think it would send the wrong message if, after he led all our outfielders in home runs and RBIs, we don't give him the job, at least to start the season." --LHP Mike Hinckley and LHP Wil Ledezma each won jobs in the opening-day bullpen, giving Washington three left-handed relievers. LHP Joe Beimel will serve as the primary setup man for closer RHP Joel Hanrahan, so Hinckley and Ledezma will be used in match-up situations. With so many top left-handed hitters in the NL East, manager Manny Acta and acting general manager Mike Rizzo felt it made sense to keep an extra lefty in the bullpen.
--RHP Jason Bergmann and RHP Garrett Mock were optioned to Class AAA Syracuse, the last two members of Washington's spring training roster to be cut. Both right-handed relievers pitched well this spring. Bergmann didn't allow an earned run, while Mock had 11 strikeouts and four walks in 16 innings. But both were victims of their contract statuses. Bergmann and Mock each have options and can be sent to the minors without first being exposed to waivers. The two right-handers who made it ahead of them (RHP Steven Shell and RHP Julian Tavarez) are out of options.
BY THE NUMBERS: 3 -- Catchers the Nationals will carry on their season-opening roster (Jesus Flores, Josh Bard and Wil Nieves).
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I did everything that was asked of me. I pitched well. Those options hurt." -- RHP Jason Bergmann, who will open the season at Class AAA Syracuse despite posting a 0.00 ERA this spring because he was one of only a couple Nationals relievers still holding minor league options.
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