Some pressing on-field questions as Nats prepare to return

There hasn't been much reason to have actual baseball discussions around here in a while. But lo and behold, baseball players are going to begin doing baseball things inside baseball stadiums Friday for the first time in nearly four months, so it's finally appropriate to discuss some actual baseball topics.

There are countless issues facing the Nationals over the next three weeks and beyond, and so many of those have to do with the unprecedented protocols everyone must follow in an attempt to play this season amid a global pandemic. And those issues must take priority, because if they can't be successful in those areas they won't have any chance of playing baseball in the first place.

But there are baseball matters to address as well, and the Nationals need to emerge from three weeks of summer training having answered their most pressing on-field questions ...

* Will the rotation be fresh and ready to lead the way again?
Nobody is more a creature of routine than a starting pitcher, and the typical offseason and spring training routine has become ingrained in every one of their minds and bodies. That makes this once-in-a-lifetime change more daunting for starters than for any other position group on the roster.

Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin, Aníbal Sánchez and company reported for spring training having worked out a program designed to ease them in after their heavy workloads straight through October. Now they've had way more down time than anyone could've ever imagined.

Which means their arms should be fresh, but they still have to be able to build up their stamina in a camp half as long as a typical one. The good news: They're not starting from scratch. Everyone has been throwing during this hiatus, and ramping up in the last couple of weeks as it became clear the sport was ready to resume.

But it's still not what they're used to. And with no full slate of exhibition games on tap, pitchers are going to have to get creative to simulate innings and game situations in an attempt to get themselves ready to throw 75-plus pitches in real games three weeks from today.

The clubs that are best able to get their starting pitchers ready are going to be in the most advantageous position when the season begins.

* Is Carter Kieboom the third baseman?
This was the most pressing position question of the spring, and it'll remain the most pressing position question of the summer. When last we saw the 22-year-old prospect, he was showing modest signs of improvement in the field after a pretty unconvincing start to camp.

What will the time off have done for Kieboom? Did it allow him to clear his head and return anew? Was he able to work on technique on his own? Is the pressure only going to mount now that he's facing a three-week sprint to prove he deserves the job?

A few things may work in Kieboom's favor. With no minor leagues this season, there's nowhere to send him to play every day and perfect his craft in a low-pressure situation. And with Ryan Zimmerman opting out, the Nationals (though still well-stocked with infielders) aren't quite as deep as they once were. Asdrúbal Cabrera and Howie Kendrick loomed as the other potential third basemen if Kieboom was deemed not ready for prime time. But both veterans may be needed more at first base, second base or DH now, creating more opportunities for Kieboom to play.

On top of that, the expanded 30-man roster to begin the regular season creates more openings. Unless he really looks shaky the next few weeks, it seems like Kieboom is destined to at least make the club, if not start at third base.

* Who's the fifth starter?
Spring training began with a three-way competition for the only open slot in the rotation. And by the time camp was shut down, the hierarchy seemed clear: Joe Ross was likely the No. 5 starter, with Austin Voth in the bullpen and Erick Fedde starting in the minors.

But now that Ross has opted out, there's an opening for one of the other two right-handers. How will manager Davey Martinez make that decision, especially if there aren't many game situations to judge the competitors? It may have more to do with track record and health than anything.

Either way, it's probably a lock that both Voth and Fedde will make the opening day roster, with the extra slots now available.

* Will the bullpen be deep enough to handle this workload?
The Nationals had grand plans for a deep bullpen in 2020, with Sean Doolittle and Daniel Hudson returning and Will Harris joining them after a consistently excellent run in Houston. With three viable late-inning arms, Martinez hoped to not have to wear anybody down the way he wore down Doolittle last year.

Barring a last-minute opt out - Doolittle reported to Nationals Park on Wednesday, so it appears he intends to play - all three veterans will be in the bullpen. But Martinez may not have as much luxury to limit their usage, because a 60-game season is going to amplify the importance of each close contest.

Doolittle, Hudson and Harris need to prove they're healthy and ready for the workload they're about to face. And relievers including Tanner Rainey, Wander Suero, Roenis Elías and whoever else makes the club are going to have to show they can be counted on to get important outs late in games. It's the only way this bullpen can be effective during a season in which the outcome of every game is magnified.