Read, Bourque are among Nats' first spring cuts (Cards win 3-2)

JUPITER, Fla. - The Nationals made their first cuts of camp this morning, and there were no real surprises among the seven players trimmed from the spring roster.

Catcher Raudy Read was optioned to Triple-A Fresno, while right-hander James Bourque was optioned to Double-A Harrisburg. Five other players were reassigned to minor league camp: right-handers Ronald Peña and Wil Crowe, first baseman-outfielder José Marmolejos, catcher Tres Barrera and outfielder Chuck Taylor.

"Just go down and get some more reps," manager Davey Martinez said. "Most of these guys really made a good impression - really, all of them. We're real excited to see these guys play a little bit."

Taylor had gotten the most playing time of the group, appearing in 10 games and going 6-for-18 (.333) with a homer and three RBIs. He was selected from the Mariners in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings.

Read went 3-for-8 (.375) in five games with three RBIs, and continues to work his way back into the organization's good graces after being suspended for 80 games last season after testing positive for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance.

Bourque was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason after going 4-2 with a 1.70 ERA and six saves between high Single-A Potomac and Harrisburg last year. He had appeared in two spring games, posting an 18.00 ERA.

Peña had made three relief appearances this spring with a 19.29 ERA, while Crowe pitched in one game in relief with an 18.00 ERA. Marmolejos was 0-for-17 in 10 games and Barrera went 0-for-3 in three games.

Crowe started yesterday's B game against the Mets at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches and made a positive impression on Martinez.

"He throws strikes, which is good," the manager said. "I talked to him this morning about not trying to miss bats, not trying to be too fine. He said he felt he was trying to do that. I said that the biggest thing is to know who you are and you got eight guys behind him. Let your defense play."

As cuts are made, players sent to the minor league side will get expanded opportunities, more at-bats and more innings. On the flip side, as major league players increase their playing time, there will be fewer innings and at-bats in Grapefruit League games for roster-fillers.

"It's about getting on schedule," Martinez said. "We need to stretch Wil out. He's going to start when he goes to the minor leagues so he's ready for the season."

* Closer Sean Doolittle, who missed a few days of camp earlier this week while attending to a family matter, is scheduled to pitch today against the Cardinals.

* Howie Kendrick's strained left hamstring will keep him out of action for about 10-12 days, Martinez said.

Update: The Nationals got successive solo homers by Matt Adams and Jake Noll in the first to take a 2-0 lead. But in the bottom half of the first, Patrick Corbin allowed hits to the first five batters as the Cardinals went ahead 3-2.

Final update: The Nats loaded the bases in the ninth, but Pedro Severino's popup ended the threat. Cardinals win 3-2.