Playing the field with the non-roster invitees

Dan Uggla and Clint Robinson were among a host of veterans brought to Nationals spring training on minor league deals last year with seemingly no shot to crack a packed roster fresh off a division crown. Longtime major league outfielder Reed Johnson joined them in final days of camp.

After years as one of the game's best power-hitting second basemen, Uggla's offense had dropped off a cliff in the couple of seasons prior and his appearance was considered more of a charity case when he showed up at Space Coast Stadium.

Robinson, on the other hand, was a 30-year-old career minor leaguer with only 13 at-bats in the majors. He was relatively unknown by not only fans and the media, but by those in the Nationals organization who had extended the opportunity.

And Johnson had just been released by the Marlins on March 30 when the Nats inked him later that afternoon with just seven days remaining before the start of the season.

On opening day, not only did all three long shots suit up as members of the 25-man roster, but Uggla actually started at second base.

So while the Nationals may seem set across the board, last year's widespread injuries, which began in spring training, probably mean at least one of this year's non-roster invitees will crack the opening day roster.

Robinson went on to an exceptional first full year in the big leagues, slashing .272/.358/.424 with 10 homers in 309 at-bats. He figures to be safe on the roster as a valuable left-handed pinch-hitter with power who can back up first baseman Ryan Zimmerman while also filling in in the outfield if needed.

Uggla is gone and remains unsigned after staying on the Nationals roster for all of last season despite limited playing time following the first month.

But Johnson returns to Viera, Fla., on another minor league deal. The 39-year-old aims to continue his career for a 14th major league season by winning a spot. A foot injury late last April required surgery, limiting Johnson to only 17 games in 2015. He's a solid outfielder with a .279 average who is considered as a great clubhouse guy.

Chris Heisey and Logan Schafer join Johnson as non-roster invitees competing for a backup outfield spot.

Heisey's best season came in 2011 when he hit .254 with 18 homers and 50 RBIs with the Reds. After five seasons in Cincinnati, Heisey played for the Dodgers last year, batting .182 in 72 plate appearances. He is capable of playing all three outfield positions.

Schafer, 29, has bounced back and forth from the minors to the majors in the Brewers organization since Milwaukee drafted him in the third round in 2008. The left-handed swinger has hit .212 in 292 major league games.

The Nationals will see if Brendan Ryan or Scott Sizemore can provide infield depth as non-roster invitees.

Ryan is solid defensive shortstop with the versatility to play all over the diamond. The 33-year-old has slashed .234/.295/.315 over parts of nine seasons in the majors.

Sizemore actually joined the Nationals organization last August, hitting .426 in 14 games with Triple-A Syracuse. He is a career .244 hitter in 166 big league games, but hasn't appeared in the majors since 2014 with the Yankees. Sizemore, primarily a third baseman, was born in Virginia Beach and attended Virginia Commonwealth University.

Catcher Jhonatan Solano is also back with the Nats for spring training on a non-roster invite. Solano signed with Washington as an international free agent in 2006 and eventually worked his way to the majors, playing in 26 games for the Nationals over 2012-2013. Solano appeared in seven games with the Marlins last season. He is a .184 hitter with just 103 big league at-bats.