Lombardozzi returns to the area, plus home opener details and lineups

JUPITER, Fla. - Steve Lombardozzi won't end up playing far from his hometown, after all. Traded by the Nationals to the Tigers in the December deal that brought Doug Fister to D.C., Lombardozzi was shipped to the Orioles today. In return, Detroit gets veteran shortstop Alex Gonzalez. Lombardozzi, a Columbia native and fan favorite while with the Nats, might now not only get a chance to break camp with the O's, but also be a regular contributor. The O's are still searching for a starting second baseman, and with third baseman Manny Machado beginning the season on the disabled list, there might be a good bit of playing time available for the versatile Lombardozzi. The Fister trade now looks even stranger from the Tigers' perspective than it did when they initially dealt the durable, proven right-hander to the Nats for prospect Robbie Ray, Lombardozzi and left-hander Ian Krol. Now, the Tigers swap out Lombardozzi (who still is under team control through 2017) for a 37-year-old middle infielder who doesn't offer much offensively and was signed to a minor league deal by the Orioles less than two months ago. Meanwhile, the Nats announced the specifics of the ceremonies leading up to their home opener on April 4 against the Braves, and a good portion of the events will pay tribute to those affected by last September's shooting at the Washington Navy Yard, located just a few blocks from Nationals Park. Nice touch. Should be a moving pregame ceremony. The tarp is on the field here at Roger Dean Stadium, as rain has been coming down throughout the morning. The Nats are currently on the field getting in some pregame conditioning, and we'll have to see whether today's game, scheduled to start at 1:05 p.m., will be able to get going on time. Turns out, I miscalculated the Marlins' pitching rotation, and we won't see Jose Fernandez today. We get righty Tom Koehler, instead. For the Nats CF Denard Span 2B Jeff Kobernus RF Nate McLouth C Wilson Ramos SS Danny Espinosa LF Scott Hairston 1B Tyler Moore 3B Jamey Carroll RHP Taylor Jordan For the Marlins LF Jake Marisnick CF Christian Yelich RF Giancarlo Stanton 1B Garrett Jones C Jarrod Saltalamacchia 2B Jeff Baker 3B Casey McGehee SS Adeiny Hechavarria RHP Tom Koehler