1. LHP John Lannan

2. LHP Scott Olsen

3. RHP Daniel Cabrera

4. RHP Shairon Martis

ROTATION ANALYSIS: The Nationals were short on proven candidates at the beginning of the spring, and the group got even younger with the emergence of Martis and RHP Jordan Zimmermann. The two rookies both excelled in spring training, but Martis is the more experienced of the two with five big-league games. Zimmermann will be recalled from the minors when the team needs a fifth starter.

That inexperience is why, in many ways, the rotation will hinge on the development of Lannan and Olsen, plus pitching coach Randy St. Claire's ability to coax some consistency out of Cabrera's scattershot talent.

BULLPEN:

RHP Joel Hanrahan (closer)

LHP Joe Beimel

RHP Saul Rivera

RHP Steven Shell

RHP Julian Tavarez

RHP Mike Hinckley

LHP Wil Ledezma

BULLPEN ANALYSIS: Washington's biggest question mark got some solidity with the signing of Beimel, who will be the Nationals' setup man and immediately becomes their most proven reliever. But the success of the group still comes down to converted starters such as Shell, Mock and Bergmann, as well as Hanrahan's continued improvement as a closer.

The Nationals at least have a late-inning progression figured out, something they didn't have at the beginning of the spring. Rivera likely will take most of the seventh-inning duties, although Mock could factor in there as well. Ledezma adds a power arm to the bullpen, and he is capable of pitching against righties when needed.

LINEUP:

1. CF Lastings Milledge

2. SS Cristian Guzman

3. 3B Ryan Zimmerman

4. LF Adam Dunn

5. RF Austin Kearns

6. 1B Nick Johnson

7. C Jesus Flores

8. 2B Ronnie Belliard

LINEUP ANALYSIS: The Nationals' lineup was expected to improve with the signing of Dunn, and his torrid performance in the World Baseball Classic did nothing to dispute that notion. The placement of Milledge in the leadoff spot is something of an experiment, but one that could give Washington a power source and an improving base-stealer at the top of its lineup.

Johnson has struggled at times this spring, but he is hoping his extra work with hitting coach Rick Eckstein will pay off. The combination of Dunn, Dukes and Johnson, the Nationals hope, will wear down pitchers and lead to plenty of walks.

RESERVES:

C Josh Bard

C Wil Nieves

OF/INF Willie Harris

OF Elijah Dukes

OF Josh Willingham

INF Alberto Gonzalez

RESERVES ANALYSIS: Either Bard or Nieves is likely to be removed from the roster when the Nationals need a fifth starter. Dukes and Willingham probably will get plenty of at-bats as manager Manny Acta rotates his outfielders.

ROOKIE WATCH: RHP Jordan Zimmermann, a 2007 draft pick out of tiny Wisconsin-Stevens Point, catapulted his way through the Nationals' farm system and built on that impression with a dazzling start to the spring. He's a heavy favorite to be in the rotation, though he might start of the year with Class AAA Syracuse -- a move that could delay his first arbitration year by a season. But there's little doubt Zimmermann will be in the big leagues before May.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Daniel Cabrera (neck spasm) was scratched from a March 29 start. He returned to action April 3.

1B Dmitri Young (strained back and hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. Young, who has been working himself back into shape while trying to manage diabetes, will remain at extended spring training in Viera, Fla. The Nationals hope he'll be ready to go on a rehab assignment at some point in late April and perhaps return to the big-league roster soon after that.

2B Anderson Hernandez (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He is expected back by mid-April.

RHP Terrell Young (inflamed right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27.

LHP Matt Chico (Tommy John elbow surgery in July 2008) went on the 60-day disabled list March 28. He will miss at least the first half of the season.