Snelling 'Helping Himself'

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla., March 17 -- The crowded field of candidates for the Washington Nationals' fourth outfielder job was reduced by one Saturday -- when Manager Manny Acta said Alex Escobar is unlikely to be ready by Opening Day -- and the competition may have ended entirely by the end of a 13-1 victory over the New York Mets.

Chris Snelling homered twice off Mets starter Chan Ho Park and added a double in his third at-bat, and afterward Acta said Snelling was close to locking up the job.

"He's been showing us he's [healthy]. And he's out of options, and he's having a great spring," Acta said. "He's helping himself big time."

Acta is on record saying his starting outfield is set, with Ryan Church in left field, Nook Logan in center and Austin Kearns in right. However, on Saturday, with Logan on the bench, Acta had Snelling in left and Church in center -- saying the team needs to see both Church and Snelling in center field at some point, to gauge whether they are viable options for spot-start duty and late-inning double-switches.

Escobar, whose once-promising career has been derailed by multiple injuries, has been limited to hitting duties by a shoulder injury, and has not responded to a throwing program designed to strengthen the shoulder. On Saturday, he went 3 for 4 with two homers in a minor league game, but was limited to designated hitter duty.

"At this point, I don't think he's going to be with us on Opening Day," Acta said. "He's not making as much progress as we thought" he would.

Offense a First Concern

Acta said the Nationals would value offensive production above all else in considering the open first base job -- an indication the team could be leaning toward veteran Dmitri Young, who is expected to be brought to big league camp in the coming days following five weeks of intensive conditioning work at the minor league complex.

Acta acknowledged Young fits the profile the team needs at first base, while regular starter Nick Johnson recovers from a broken femur. But Young "is going to have to show us he can still produce offensively," Acta said. . . .

Saturday's game marked the first time the Nationals' expected double play combination of shortstop Cristian Guzman and second baseman Felipe Lopez worked together in a major league game.

Pitcher of the Day Right-hander Levale Speigner, a dark horse candidate for a rotation spot or long-relief job, turned in his second straight scoreless outing -- this time going three innings and allowing only one hit. Up Next vs. Marlins in Viera, 1 p.m. (WTWP 107.7 FM, 1500 AM)