VIERA, Fla., Feb. 28 -- Washington Nationals Manager Frank Robinson said he doubts backup infielder Henry Mateo, still recovering from shoulder surgery, will be ready when the regular season opens April 4. The fallout? It could well be that veteran Carlos Baerga's chances of making the team increase significantly.
"The team has a new life," Baerga said, "and hopefully, so do I."
Robinson said the Nationals will head north with at least 11 pitchers, perhaps 12. That leaves 14 spots for position players. The eight presumed starters are easily accounted for: catcher Brian Schneider, first baseman Nick Johnson, second baseman Jose Vidro, shortstop Cristian Guzman, third baseman Vinny Castilla and outfielders Brad Wilkerson, Endy Chavez and Jose Guillen.
That leaves six more spots. Catcher Gary Bennett, outfielder Terrmel Sledge and infielder Jamey Carroll are shoo-ins, with first baseman Wil Cordero not far behind. That leaves two spots for a slew of contenders, including infielder George Arias, outfielders Alex Escobar, J.J. Davis and Tyrell Godwin -- and Baerga, 36.
"I know I can still hit," Baerga said. "And I can fill the role. I can come off the bench and hit. They know I can do that."
Baerga, a three-time all-star second baseman with Cleveland, hit .343 in 207 at-bats in 2003 with Arizona before falling to .235 in just 85 at-bats last year for the Diamondbacks. Though he appeared in the field only six times last season -- all at first base -- Baerga took grounders at second Tuesday. Being a switch hitter will help.
Rauch Takes the Mound
Right-hander Jon Rauch -- at 6 feet 11, the tallest pitcher in major league history -- threw 30 pitches Monday to hitters, trying to put behind him the bronchitis that has held him back for several days. "It just puts you behind on conditioning," Rauch said. "I've been able to throw, but I'm not quite in shape." . . . The Nationals came to terms on contracts with pitcher Zach Day and Mateo.
