No opening day starter talk yet as Scherzer rolls against Astros

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - With 23 days remaining until opening day, Nationals manager Matt Williams isn't interested in entertaining conversation about who he plans to give the ball to for the start of the 2015 season.

"We've got three off days right before the season," Williams said. "So, at this point, we're running them out there on their turn and if we have to make an adjustment then we can make an adjustment. Right now, we're not thinking about it. We're just making sure they're getting through all of their outings well and they feel good about it. With those three off days anything can happen."

Williams tabbed offseason prize Max Scherzer with the role of pitching the Nationals Grapefruit League opener 10 days ago. After Scherzer made his third exhibition start today, he modestly deflected a question about whether he's concerned over pitching the Nats' first regular season game.

"I think everybody on this staff could make a case they could be an opening day starter," Scherzer said. "That's what the beauty of playing here in Washington. There's talent everywhere and everybody's great at what they do so it's going to be fun whoever gets it."

As far as today's outing, Scherzer pitched four scoreless innings allowing just one hit and one walk with three strikeouts.

"Vintage Max today, really good," Williams said. "He'll get a few more opportunities this spring, but right now he's right where he wants to be. I like where he's at. Next time out we'll see if we can get him another inning. I'm not so much concerned about pitch count because he does throw a lot of pitches so five ups next time hopefully."

Scherzer lowered his exhibition season ERA to 2.00 over his nine innings pitched. He's given up nine hits with eight strikeouts and one walk in the three starts. He seemed most impressed with today's appearance.

"I was real happy," said Scherzer. "When you face an American League team on the road, this is when you get a chance to see where you're at. For me I went out there with the mentality of I'm going to give them everything I would during the regular season. Plus, I kind of know these guys a little bit from pitching in the American League. So I was really focused on the results today to start of amp up a little bit and start preparing for the season even more so than just going out there and working on things."

Scherzer clearly takes his craft seriously tinkering with pitches to get the edge on hitters.

"There's nothing perfect," he said. "I thought I did some things really well. I kind of made a little adjustment with my curveball and I thought I was very effective with it today being able to throw it into the zone when I needed to. I was able to throw my slider when I needed to, really all of my offspeed pitches when I needed to in the zone. I was able to go 3-2 offspeed I think three times today so that's a good sign. Even when you're in those type of counts you can still execute pitches. Those are the type of things that it takes to succeed during the year and that's what I'm happy about my performance today."

Tyler Moore continues his torrid spring. He delivered another double, his fifth of the exhibition season in his first at-bat and added a single the next time up to run his spring average to .476.

"I don't think he's doing anything differently," Williams said. "I think he came in with some confidence. He had a great winter ball. He didn't take too much time off which is important for a young player especially. He came in with some timing and anytime he gets a number of at-bats this is what he does. He hits. The question has always been the last couple of years 'how many at-bats we can give him? How much playing time we can give him?' He's getting it now and he's showing us what he can do."

Williams arrived at Osceola County Stadium later about two hours later than normal today because he chose to stay back for some extra infield practice with Ryan Zimmerman, Ian Desmond, Kevin Frandsen and Ian Stewart. He continues to rave about Zimmerman's work at first base.

"Great, fantastic," Williams said. "His feet are moving great. His feeds are great. Of course he can catch everything that is hit at him. Good session."

Frandsen and Stewart have been getting the majority of reps while Anthony Rendon recovers from his sprained left MCL.

"They tell us it's going to be sore for a little while but ultimately it's going to be fine," said Williams. "That being said, no one ever knows so we've got to have options if need be. Even during the course of the season if he does get sore, if he bangs it again it could be sore so we have to guys available to do that."

Stewart's been swinging a hot bat so far. He's hitting .400 (6-for-15) with two homers and three RBIs.

After resting for 10 days since suffering a Grade 1 strain of his oblique muscle, Yunel Escobar began physical activity this morning.

"He's thrown," Williams said. "He's started his rotational exercises. Again, it's not baseball, he's not swinging a bat yet, but that's part of it. He was a full go as far as all of his exercises went today so we'll see how he is tomorrow, but he seemed to come through it fine.

"There's pressure there because he wants to play and it's a new position for him and he's missed a lot of the spring so far so all of those things combined we have to be mindful of not pushing him too hard."