Roundup: Span's birthday, Scherzer's first week, Espinosa's swing (with video)

VIERA, Fla. - This morning's workout began with the team singing "Happy Birthday" to center fielder Denard Span.

"It was heartfelt man," Span said. "It felt good. Birthdays are birthdays. You start to get a little bit older and birthdays don't mean as much as they used to, but it was a lot of fun getting put in the circle and everybody singing."

While in the circle, Span showed off some of his best dance moves as teammates clapped and shouted.

"They told me to do the Carlton dance from 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' so I was requested to that dance and I did it to the best of my ability," Span joked.

Span, now 31, is coming off hernia surgery in December. He showed up in Viera a few days early and hasn't been limited early in spring training.

"I feel pretty good," Span said. "Some days feel better than others, but overall I think I'm in a good place."

The seven-year veteran tied for the National League lead in hits with last year with 184, and was the catalyst for the Nats' offense at the top of the order. This might be the last chance for Span to win a World Series in Washington D.C., as his contract with the Nationals expires after the season. He knows the prospects of this Nats team as they begin preparing for a long run.

"I think we got a lot of talent," he said. "So far it's been loose, but we're getting after it. I think we know what we want to do here and that's what in these first two days (manager) Matt (Williams) is just preaching, 'Let's get our work done.'"

Span said he doesn't have any big plans for his birthday but you can watch the team celebrating him in the video below.

Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer has finished his first week in Viera with new team. The former American League Cy Young winner is already eager to start some live action.

"I feel great, my arm feels great," Scherzer said. "You just look forward to actually facing a hitter. But this is what we do, obviously we have to throw our 'pens but I'm also itching to face hitters."

Szcherzer's been impressed early by the other members of his rotation and is looking forward to next Thursday when the actual spring training schedule begins.

"I can't wait for the games to start," he said. "You want to see these guys be in game action. It's one thing to watch bullpens, but it's another thing to see them compete against other people and that's what I'm looking forward to."

Williams said he'll have a better idea of how his rotation will be slotted for the games after Sunday.

Danny Espinosa was the only Nationals player to take extra batting practice on the Space Coast Stadium field after team workouts today as he worked to get comfortable hitting from the right side while facing right-handed pitching. Williams said Espinosa is progressing nicely while also adding that the true tests come when facing live pitching once the exhibition season starts.

Jayson Werth once again took part in light workouts this morning with the team. Werth, who was joined at practice for the second straight day, fielded ground balls in the outfield during the session. Werth won't be hitting or throwing for a couple of weeks as he continues to recover from right shoulder surgery in January. Williams said Espinosa is progressing nicely while also adding that the true tests come when facing live pitching once the exhibition season starts.

Werth also provided this morning's best moment when he made a little girl's day by signing a baseball for her as he exited practice early.

Here are videos from today's workout.: