Starting lineups: Astros at Nationals at West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Matt Wieters will make his long-awaited Grapefruit League debut for the Nationals this afternoon. He'll be behind the plate catching right-hander Joe Ross when the Nats host the Astros at 1:05 p.m. in a game that will be televised live on MASN.

Wieters, signed last month to a one-year, $10.5 million deal with a player option for a second year at $10.5 million, is expected to catch three or four innings, according to manager Dusty Baker. That should be enough to get the new backstop one or two at-bats.

"I'm glad he's getting on the field so we can make an evaluation," Baker said. "I haven't seen him much. I know he's a smart man. We put him on an accelerated program to learn pitchers and the league."

The Nationals will provide the first spring test for an Astro pitching in his first game. Left-hander Dallas Kuechel has been held out of games this spring after being sidelined with left shoulder inflammation in September. He pitched in a simulated game earlier this week and passed that test.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. HOUSTON ASTROS
Where: The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.TV
Radio: 106.7 The Fan, 1500 AM, XM (Internet 869)
Weather: Partly cloudy, 78 degrees, wind 11 mph toward left field

ASTROS

RF George Springer
SS Marwin Gonzalez
RF Josh Reddick
DH Evan Gattis
C Brian McCann
3B Yuliesky Gurriel
1B Tyler White
2B Tony Kemp
CF Jake Marisnick

LHP Dallas Keuchel

NATIONALS

SS Trea Turner
CF Adam Eaton
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Jayson Werth
3B Anthony Rendon
2B Stephen Drew
C Matt Wieters
DH Clint Robinson

RHP Joe Ross