WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Spring training results, especially early in camp, don’t really carry much weight for a variety of reasons. Starters don’t play the whole nine innings. Pitchers often work on different pitches. And minor leaguers can fill out a lineup against major leaguers.

Another factor affecting play, especially in South Florida, is the weather.

The sun can blind fielders on popups. Clouds can roll in and out in a matter of seconds. Rain can downpour and then vanish just as quickly. And the wind can blow all over the field at high speeds.

It seemed like the wind was the 10th fielder for both teams during the Nationals’ 6-4 loss to the Cardinals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. With gusts between 20-30 mph coming in from the right field corner, most fly balls died in the outfield.

The benefactors: Starting pitchers Jake Irvin and Michael McGreevy.

The Nationals signed Amed Rosario to a one-year, $2 million contract this morning, adding an experienced middle infielder who could take over the utilityman role on the 2025 roster.

Rosario, 29, owns a .273 batting average and .706 OPS in 942 career big league games with five clubs, most of those coming with the Mets and Guardians. An everyday shortstop in New York and Cleveland during the first portion of his career, he has shifted into more of a utility role in recent seasons.

Rosario played for three different teams (Rays, Dodgers, Reds) in 2024, finishing with a .280 batting average, .686 OPS, 18 doubles, three homers, 32 RBIs and 13 stolen bases across 346 plate appearances. He played all around the field, with 27 games at second base, 26 in right field, 15 at third base and 14 at shortstop.

To clear space for Rosario on their full 40-man roster, the Nationals designated right-hander Joan Adon for assignment. Adon, who burst onto the scene with a nine-strikeout debut against the Red Sox on the final day of the 2021 season, never rediscovered that magic during the ensuing three years. In 35 total big league games with the Nats (26 of them starts), he went 3-16 with a 6.66 ERA.

Rosario appears poised to take over the utility role previously held by Ildemaro Vargas, who was cut loose in November after 2 1/2 seasons in D.C. Rosario is four years younger than Vargas, with better offensive numbers but less defensive prowess.