JUPITER, Fla. – The Nationals weren’t able to play Friday night due to persistent rain across the entire state of Florida. So they’ll try to play two today … even though neither is a makeup game against the Astros! See, the Nats already had a day-night, split-squad doubleheader scheduled. (Such great planning for the second-to-last day of spring training, huh?)

It all gets started at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, where half of the team will face the Cardinals and Miles Mikolas for the third time in 12 days. The veteran right-hander didn’t give up much in those previous two matchups, allowing a total of three runs in 10 innings. Jake Irvin will oppose Mikolas, and he’s been excellent each of his last two starts against the Mets and Marlins, totaling nine scoreless innings on three hits, zero walks and 10 strikeouts.

The nightcap sees the other half of the Nationals staying home in West Palm Beach to face the Marlins, with Josiah Gray making his final tune-up before he takes the mound for real Opening Day in Cincinnati. Gray had a wild night against the Astros on Monday, walking seven, striking out six but somehow only allowing one run in five innings. He’ll look to find the strike zone just a bit more this time.

You’ll notice some players who were part of Friday’s roster cuts in the lineups today and tonight. Because of the split-squad situation, the Nationals have no choice but to use every available body, even those no longer in major league camp.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (ss) vs. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Where: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, Jupiter
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: None
Radio: MLB.com (Cardinals feed)
Weather: Rain ending, 77 degrees, wind 16 mph out to right field

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The 20-win spring training Orioles play their penultimate road game tonight against the Red Sox at JetBlue Park.

Albert Suárez makes his fifth appearance and third start, and he needs to avoid the one disastrous inning that has marred his last two games and maybe impacted his chances of going north.

Suárez has logged 11 1/3 innings and allowed eight runs and 13 hits with one walk and 16 strikeouts. He was charged with five runs in the seventh inning of Friday’s game against the Rays in Port Charlotte.

Gunnar Henderson is leading off and playing shortstop. Jordan Westburg is the third baseman and cleanup hitter.

Colton Cowser is in center field. Tyler Nevin is the left fielder and Kolten Wong is the second baseman.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The competition for the final spot in the Nationals rotation seemed to create some clarity Wednesday night when Zach Davies was roughed up by the Cardinals for nine runs (seven of those coming during a torturous top of the fourth). Then again, it’s still up to Trevor Williams today to perform well enough to lock up the job.

A weak performance from Williams against the Twins could throw another wrench into this process and leave club officials still to decide which veteran right-hander should be the No. 5 starter after all. And there’s a domino effect to all this as well, because Williams would move to the bullpen if he’s not in the rotation, taking a precious spot away from someone else still in camp competing down to the wire.

Speaking of competitions going down to the wire, Luis García Jr. may need a good showing today to shift the narrative back in his direction and away from Trey Lipscomb, who had a huge night Wednesday and appears to be making a really strong case to make the team as the starting second baseman. García should be feeling the heat by now; let’s see how he handles it.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. MINNESOTA TWINS
Where: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach
Gametime: 1:05 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: None
Weather: Partly cloudy, 79 degrees, wind 10 mph in from right field

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
RF Lane Thomas
LF Jesse Winker
1B Joey Gallo
C Keibert Ruiz
DH Eddie Rosario
2B Luis García Jr.
3B Ildemaro Vargas
CF Victor Robles

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles optioned left-handed reliever Nick Vespi to minor league camp this afternoon. The major league camp roster is down to 45 players.

Vespi is the second southpaw pitcher in two days to be sent down, following Bruce Zimmermann yesterday morning.

Vespi had a solid showing until allowing three runs and three hits yesterday in 1 1/3 innings in Dundedin. The Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho hit a two-run homer.

The final spring total for Vespi is five runs and seven hits in 8 1/3 innings. He walked one batter and struck out 12, and opponents batted .219.

“We obviously have a lot more (cuts) to go,” said manager Brandon Hyde.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – No spring training game truly counts, but let’s acknowledge that tonight’s game against the Cardinals means a little bit more than nothing. For one thing, a Nationals victory would clinch a winning record in the Grapefruit League this spring!

OK, that’s not actually the reason it means something. The significance of tonight’s game involves the Nats’ starter, Zach Davies, who is running out of time to make his case for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. The veteran right-hander is making his fourth start, and the three previous ones haven’t been overwhelmingly good or bad. He enters with a 4.35 ERA and 13 baserunners allowed in 8 1/3 innings.

If Davies is going to bump Trevor Williams to the bullpen, he’s going to need to show something at some point. So tonight’s game offers an opportunity for him. Now we’ll see if he can seize that opportunity.

Speaking of opportunities … Trey Lipscomb gets another chance to start a game, this time at second base. Though none of the team’s top prospects has been expected to make the club, if there’s one who maybe could force his way in, it might be Lipscomb, who has played well and really pushed Luis García Jr. Here’s another chance for him tonight to make his case.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Where: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach
Gametime: 6:05 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: MLB.com (Cardinals feed)
Weather: Chance of storms, 85 degrees, wind 14 mph out to right field

DUNEDIN, Fla. – The Orioles optioned left-hander Bruce Zimmermann to minor league camp this morning, reducing their major league camp roster to 46 players.

The Baltimore native was competing for a spot in the rotation or the bullpen in long relief.

Zimmermann appeared in three games and allowed three earned runs (five total) and 12 hits in 7 2/3 innings. He walked three batters and struck out seven.

Ryan Mountcastle remains out of the lineup this afternoon against the Blue Jays. He hasn’t played since March 12 due to neck stiffness but said this morning that he’s taking live batting practice in Sarasota and will play Wednesday night against the Phillies in Sarasota.

Austin Hays has been ill but said this morning that he’s feeling better. He also could be in Wednesday’s lineup.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – It’s a sweltering March afternoon here in South Florida, summer-type weather with popup thunderstorms all over the place. Hopefully that doesn’t impact tonight’s game, but the Nationals and Astros surely will be keeping an eye on the radar before and after they take the field.

Assuming no delays or poor conditions, Josiah Gray makes the start, his second-to-last tune-up before he takes the mound for real on Opening Day in Cincinnati. Gray enters with a 7.36 ERA this spring, but that’s more than a bit misleading. He was excellent in his first two starts, allowing one run and six baserunners in five innings. Then he was roughed up last time out, allowing five runs and nine baserunners in only 2 1/3 innings. That was 10 days ago, though, because Gray pitched on a back field in a minor league game last week. Either way, it’s important for him to build up some innings tonight and hopefully have some success against some good Houston hitters.

Most of the regulars are in the Nationals lineup, aside from Luis García Jr. and Nick Senzel. So it’ll be Ildemaro Vargas at second base and Trey Lipscomb at third base, all of them facing Cristian Javier.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. HOUSTON ASTROS
Where: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach
Gametime: 6:05 p.m.
TV: MLB.tv (Astros feed)
Radio: 980 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Chance of storms, 85 degrees, wind 14 mph out to right field

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
RF Lane Thomas
LF Eddie Rosario
1B Joey Meneses
DH Joey Gallo
C Keibert Ruiz
CF Victor Robles
2B Ildemaro Vargas
3B Trey Lipscomb

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – We’ve reached the final week of spring training. Seven days from now, the Nationals will board their charter flight and head north to Washington for a final exhibition game against their own prospects before flying to Cincinnati for Opening Day. So we’re getting down to the nitty gritty now, as established players fine-tune everything and the competition among players fighting for roster spots gets serious.

There are two turns left in the rotation, and two of the starters will be pitching today. MacKenzie Gore gets the nod in the big league game against the Mets, looking to duplicate what he did five days ago against the same opponent (one run, two hits in 5 2/3 innings), and maybe throw a few more pitches to approach the 90 mark. Patrick Corbin, meanwhile, is pitching in a minor league game this morning, getting his work on a back field.

The lineup includes most of the regulars. Of note: Eddie Rosario is making another start in center field, something Davey Martinez said would be happening as the Nats try to decide if the veteran can handle the position well enough to make the occasional start out there. Drew Millas also gets a chance to catch Gore and play alongside the regulars.

And you can watch it all this afternoon on MASN, with Bob Carpenter and Kevin Frandsen on the call. Enjoy!

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. NEW YORK METS
Where: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach
Gametime: 1:05 p.m.
TV: MASN, MLB.tv (outside D.C. market)
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 84 degrees, wind 10 mph out to center field

SARASOTA, Fla. – Ryan Mountcastle is out of the lineup again today as the Orioles play split-squad games against the Braves in Sarasota and Tigers in Lakeland. However, Mountcastle said this morning that his neck feels much better and he should be ready after Monday’s off-day.

Mountcastle is missing his fifth game in a row.

“I just took a swing and it locked up,” he said, “but we’re just getting it worked out and feel pretty good, and should be back, probably, the next game.”

Mountcastle has appeared in nine games and is 7-for-27 with two doubles, seven RBIs and three runs scored.

“Pretty good,” he said. “Getting a bunch of ABs and stuff. Feel pretty solid. Feel good defensively, feel good offensively, and hopefully just get this neck thing figured out the next day or two and be back to normal.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Ryan Mountcastle is out of the lineup for a fourth consecutive game. Manager Brandon Hyde said Mountcastle has some neck stiffness.

“Just giving him a little bit of rest,” Hyde said.

Austin Hays also is out of the lineup, missing back-to-back games because he’s under the weather.

John Means threw his second live batting practice session yesterday, again working one inning. The next step is a two-inning session.

Means wants to get into a game before the Orioles break camp but probably will run out of time. Hyde said earlier in camp that Means wouldn’t pitch this spring.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – On the heels of Friday’s doubleheader in Port St. Lucie, the Nationals return home for an early 12:05 p.m. exhibition today against the Cardinals. No rest for the weary.

The good news: The Nats are playing winning baseball right now, for whatever that’s worth. Friday’s 7-3 win over the Mets was their sixth straight, leaving their official Grapefruit League record a strong 12-8.

In a bit of a shakeup from the usual, Davey Martinez is using a bullpen game this afternoon. There were two reasons for this: 1) He’s trying to start lining up his regular starters for the regular season (hopefully we’re going to learn more about that in the next few days) and 2) He wants to give the relievers who are competing for spots in the Opening Day bullpen a chance to face major league hitters, which means they need to pitch the early innings.

One of those relievers in the mix is Derek Law, the veteran right-hander who signed a minor league deal shortly after camp opened. He’ll get the first inning today against St. Louis, so here’s his opportunity to make a statement. Also scheduled to pitch: Dylan Floro, Robert Garcia, Robert Gsellman and Luis Perdomo.

UPDATE: James Wood was scratched from the lineup, replaced in right field by Alex Call. Martinez is expected to provide an explanation postgame.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Colton Cowser is playing left field and leading off this afternoon against Rays right-hander Naoyuki Uwasawa.

Jordan Westburg is playing third base. Heston Kjerstad is in right.

Jackson Holliday is starting at shortstop after playing in last night’s “Spring Breakout” game in Bradenton. Connor Norby, who also played last night, is the designated hitter today.

Dean Kremer is making is fourth start, with Albert Suárez on the trip to pitch in relief. Kremer has allowed five runs and 10 hits in eight innings, with three walks and eight strikeouts.

Coby Mayo is listed among the reserves. Among players coming over from the minor league side are outfielder Dontá Williams and infielders Anthony Servideo and TT Bowens.

BRADENTON, Fla. – The Orioles announced their lineup for tonight’s “Spring Breakout” game against the Pirates in Bradenton, the second half of a unique doubleheader.

The top two spots are occupied by the last two first-round draft picks – center fielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. and shortstop Jackson Holliday.

Samuel Basallo, who collected his first hit yesterday with a ninth inning single, is batting fifth as the designated hitter. He probably won’t be cleared to catch until late April due to a stress fracture in his right elbow.

Silas Ardoin is catching left-hander Cade Povich.

The first seven spots in the order are occupied by Top 30 prospects. Povich also counts at No. 10 per MLB Pipeline.

BRADENTON, Fla. – Cedric Mullins is in the lineup today for the first time since March 4, when he exited in the first inning with right hamstring discomfort.

Mullins is leading off. Gunnar Henderson is starting at shortstop and batting third.

Jorge Mateo is the second baseman. Kyle Stowers is in right field.

Tyler Nevin gets the start at first base.

Grayson Rodriguez is making his fourth start after allowing three runs and 10 hits in 7 1/3 innings. He’s walked five batters and struck out five.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Jordan Westburg gets another start at shortstop and is batting cleanup tonight against the Braves in Sarasota.

Westburg is making is third start at short, and also has played second and third base.

Kolten Wong is starting at third base for the second time this spring – and the second time in his professional career.

Colton Cowser is leading off as the designated hitter. Heston Kjerstad is in left field. Jackson Holliday is the second baseman.

Cole Irvin makes his third start. He hasn’t allowed a run in five innings.

JUPITER, Fla. – The Nationals have a quick turnaround from Tuesday night’s game against the Mets to this afternoon’s game against the Marlins. That might explain why there are so many kids in Davey Martinez’s lineup. (Most veterans aren’t going to be asked to play spring training day games after night games.)

The good news is that we get to see James Wood, Dylan Crews and Trey Lipscomb all in the same lineup. Lipscomb, who started at second base Tuesday night, moves to third base today. Crews, it should be noted, is mired in a bit of a funk at the plate. He’s 0 for his last 8 with one walk and six strikeouts. Wood, meanwhile, is 2 for his last 13 after beginning the spring 9-for-19.

Jake Irvin gets the start for the Nats, hoping to build off a strong outing his last time on the mound. The right-hander shut out the Mets over four innings last week, striking out five without walking anybody. He’s probably assured of a spot in the Opening Day rotation, but another start like that would probably seal the deal.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. MIAMI MARLINS
Where: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, Jupiter
Gametime: 1:10 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: 980 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 79 degrees, wind 8 mph right field to left field

NATIONALS
LF Jacob Young
RF James Wood
DH Jesse Winker
C Keibert Ruiz
2B Luis García Jr.
SS Ildemaro Vargas
3B Trey Lipscomb
CF Dylan Crews
1B Juan Yepez

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – We tend to think of spring training as a daytime exercise, with players reporting to the ballpark at the crack of dawn for workouts, playing a few innings in the early afternoon and then heading out early enough to play nine holes before sunset. But this final stretch of Nationals camp includes a ton of night games: Seven of them over the next 12 days (including three of the next four) to be precise.

Tonight the Nats host the Mets under the lights in West Palm Beach, with MacKenzie Gore on the mound. The left-hander makes only his third official start of the spring, his first in 11 days. (In between, he threw on a back field.) Gore should be good for at least four innings tonight, and he’ll be facing a Mets lineup that includes Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso and Starling Marte.

Most of the Nationals’ regulars are in the lineup, many of them playing for the second straight day. That includes Eddie Rosario, who after debuting as DH on Monday will start in left field tonight. Joey Meneses gets the nod at first base, with Joey Gallo assuming DH duties. Riley Adams, remarkably, is catching his first home game of the spring. And Trey Lipscomb gets a chance to start at second base surrounded by veterans, an interesting twist.

We’ll also see Matt Barnes coming out of the bullpen to make his Nationals debut, two weeks after he agreed to a minor league deal with the team.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. NEW YORK METS
Where: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach
Gametime: 6:05 p.m. EST
TV: None
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 75 degrees, wind 10 mph in from right field

SARASOTA, Fla. – Jorge Mateo is playing center field for this afternoon’s game against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium.

Colton Cowser is in right field and Austin Hays is in left.

Gunnar Henderson is leading off and playing shortstop, with Jordan Westburg at second base.

Jackson Holliday finally gets a break.

Adley Rutschman is catching Tyler Wells, who’s making his second Grapefruit League start. Wells tossed two scoreless innings with one hit allowed on March 1 against the Braves in North Port.

TAMPA, Fla. – Jackson Holliday is back on the road this afternoon, leading off and playing shortstop for a 1:05 p.m. game against the Yankees.

Kolten Wong is Holliday’s double play partner.

Anthony Santander homered twice yesterday in Dunedin and he’s back in gray pants today, batting third as the designated hitter.

Kyle Stowers is in left field and Heston Kjerstad is in right. Daniel Johnson is the center fielder.

The bench includes Coby Mayo, Connor Norby, Errol Robinson and Samuel Basallo, who could receive his first at-bats while recovering from a stress fracture in his right elbow.

JUPITER, Fla. – And we’re back! Yes, after a nice little break at home, I’ve returned to Florida for the remainder of spring training. My thanks to Bobby Blanco (who, inexplicably, is still at the airport in Fort Myers waiting to fly home) for a great week of coverage in my absence.

We’ve got some news on this Monday morning at Nationals camp. The team finally made its first round of cuts, optioning Joan Adon, Jake Alu, Cole Henry, DJ Herz, Mitchell Parker and Amos Willingham to Triple-A Rochester and reassigning Travis Blankenhorn to minor league camp. More on all that in a little while.

Today’s lineup, meanwhile, features Eddie Rosario making his Nats debut, though only as designated hitter for now. Joey Gallo returns to play the field for the first time since Feb. 28, when he hurt his left quadriceps muscle. The only projected regular not in there is Joey Meneses, so this may be the closest thing we’ve seen to an Opening Day lineup yet this spring.

Patrick Corbin gets the start, the left-hander’s fourth start of the spring, his third at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, his second against the Cardinals. He’ll be opposed by veteran right-hander Miles Mikolas.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Where: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, Jupiter
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EST
TV: MLB.tv (Cardinals feed)
Radio: nationals.com
Weather: Sunny, 75 degrees, wind 12 mph in from center field