Big names should finally be in action this weekend

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The first week of Grapefruit League play has featured minimal action by the Nationals' biggest names, but that may finally change this weekend.

For starters, Max Scherzer will be on the mound today in Port St. Lucie to face the Mets, his second start of the spring. And Stephen Strasburg will make his long-awaited debut Saturday in West Palm Beach against the Astros, who are scheduled to send Justin Verlander to the mound for a high-profile pitching matchup.

So that takes care of the pitching question. At the plate, the Nationals figure to start giving more at-bats to their lineup regulars as well.

Bryce Harper, who missed the last two days with an ingrown toenail that had to be removed during a minor surgical procedure, may be in today's lineup against the Mets. Manager Davey Martinez said the 25-year-old star wants to play, though Martinez may convince him to sit out one more day.

Ryan Zimmerman should be on the verge of making his spring training debut after being held out all week. Martinez figured there was no reason to rush his veteran first baseman, but we've now reached a point where it makes sense for him to begin getting game at-bats.

As for Adam Eaton ... well, your guess is as good as anybody's. Despite no longer having any restrictions placed on him following his ACL surgery, Eaton has not been cleared for game action yet. And Martinez continues to be evasive when asked for a timetable.

"He's progressing," was all Martinez would say yesterday when asked about Eaton's status.

Though they've been exceedingly cautious in their handling of regulars and injuries both significant and insignificant, the Nationals do recognize the time is coming to remove the restraining belts and hope for the best.

Martinez himself is getting antsy to see his whole lineup in action for the first time.

"Absolutely," the rookie skipper said. "You play these things out in your head every day, and of course you want to see them out there together. But it's a process. (Eaton) is doing well. He's just going to ease his way back in, and when he's ready, he's ready."