Starting lineups: Nats vs. Twins in Fort Myers

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The biggest reason the Nationals moved their spring headquarters from Viera to West Palm Beach was to avoid all the excessively long road trips that were a byproduct from training in such a remote locale. But while they will reap the benefits of that switch over the course of the entire spring, with the majority of their road games requiring a drive of 15 minutes or fewer, there do remain a couple of doozies. Like today's trip to Fort Myers, a short 2 1/2 hours west of West Palm Beach via back roads that cut straight across the Florida swamp.

Suffice it to say, Dusty Baker didn't want to subject many of his top players to this long trip. So today's lineup against the Twins features Adam Eaton, Anthony Rendon and a bunch of other guys who at best will open the season on the big league bench and at worst will open it in the minors. (Update: Actually, Eaton didn't make the trip as originally scheduled. It'll be Michael A. Taylor leading off in center field.)

We will, however, get a look at A.J. Cole on the mound. This is no insignificant spring for the lanky right-hander, who might well be the Nationals' first option to join the rotation should somebody get hurt. And with Max Scherzer's opening day status still uncertain due to the stress fracture in his right ring finger, it's not implausible at all for Cole to wind up coming north with the club. He can help his cause by pitching well this spring, beginning this afternoon. ...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. MINNESOTA TWINS
Where: Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EST
TV: None
Radio: MLB.com (Twins broadcast), XM 178
Weather: Sunny, 79 degrees, wind 10 mph in from center field

NATIONALS
CF Michael A. Taylor
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Chris Heisey
1B Clint Robinson
DH Matt Skole
SS Stephen Drew
C José Lobaton
RF Brian Goodwin
2B Corban Joseph
RHP A.J. Cole

TWINS
CF Byron Buxton
SS Jorge Polanco
2B Brian Dozier
3B Miguel Sano
RF Max Kepler
1B Kennys Vargas
LF Eddie Rosario
C Chris Gimenez
DH Jason Castro
RHP Trevor May