Weekly Wrap: First pitch and the final stretch

There are 10 days left until regular season baseball and just eight days until the Nationals take on the Tigers at Nats Park! Baseball in D.C. is so close I can taste it. Before the season can officially start, the Nats still have to whittle down their roster and figure out their starting rotation. In surprising news, Matt Williams announced that Ross Detwiler will start his season in the bullpen. Ross Ohlendorf was among the Nats' cuts this week, so it looks like the final spot in the rotation will belong to either Taylor Jordan or Tanner Roark. Before Ohlendorf, Zach Walters and others were reassigned, six more Nats were also cut Monday. On Wednesday, Stephen Strasburg was officially named the Nats' opening day starter. He'll be followed by Gio Gonzalez and Jordan Zimmermann, with the rest of the rotation to be determined. In other news around camp, reliever Luis Ayala was granted his unconditional release. (He signed with the Orioles yesterday.) The Nats also traded catcher Koyie Hill this week for cash considerations or a player to be named. We also had some exciting MASN news this week. We're giving a Nats fan a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Nationals Park on April 5. Find out how to enter here. In addition, MASNsports.com writer Dan Kolko is now pulling double duty, working as the sideline reporter during Nats games. While we wait to watch him during MASN HD broadcasts, be sure to read some of our Nats stories below. * Detwiler discusses getting moved to the bullpen * Nats will take BP at newly opened Youth Baseball Academy on March 29 * Some takeaways from camp