NORTH PORT, Fla. – Injuries are the last thing any player wants to experience at this stage of spring training, all the more so for any player battling for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
So when Andrés Chaparro had to be scratched from today’s lineup after experiencing some kind of discomfort during batting practice, the competition for the final spot on the Nationals’ bench may have had a wrench thrown into it.
Chaparro was set to bat fifth and start at first base for the Nats against the Braves, an opportunity for him to continue his torrid spring at the plate and further his case for that spot on the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old is batting a robust .400 (12-for-30) with two doubles, a homer and five RBIs, though he has also run into several outs on the bases, much to the chagrin of the coaching staff.
Juan Yepez, who is also in the mix for that “26th man” job, will now start at first base in Chaparro’s place, with Stone Garrett taking over his spot in the lineup and serving as designated hitter.
Chaparro and Yepez have a similar player profile, with Yepez having an advantage because of his defensive versatility but a disadvantage because of his lower numbers this spring (6-for-27, one double). Also competing for the job are José Tena (who can play third base, shortstop and second base) and Nasim Nuñez (who excels in the field and on the bases and is batting .458 this spring).
“The 26th man is going to be interesting,” manager Davey Martinez said Thursday. “When you look at it, there’s really no (regulars who need to be) pinch-hit. We’ll see. I’m going to sit down with (general manager Mike Rizzo) next week and go over some different things that we might want to do. But for the most part, the (regulars) are going to play. We’ll have some guys who will have a chance to start some days. … We’ll see how it all shakes out. I always say at the end of the day, it all works itself out.”
* Derek Law isn’t quite ready to make his Grapefruit League debut yet.
The veteran reliever has purposely been delayed this spring, the Nationals wanting to conserve his arm knowing how much he’s likely to pitch during the season. He finally faced live hitters for the first time Monday, then did so again Thursday in West Palm Beach while the team was on the road.
Martinez said Law is going to pitch on a back field one more time before finally taking the mound inside the stadium during the final week of spring training.
“He liked the way he threw,” the manager said. “He felt good. He wants to work on the shapes of his pitches, really focus on throwing more strike ones with his breaking stuff. I’d rather do it in a controlled environment. So we’ll see how he does.”
Law pitched in eight games last spring before then making 75 appearances during the regular season, third-most in the National League. He has said he’s comfortable pitching only three times this spring before going into the season, hoping that lighter workload will keep him fresher for April and beyond.