It's gameday in D.C. The Nationals are making their final preparations for the 2013 season, hosting the New York Yankees in an exhibition game. You can catch all the action on MASN HD at 2 p.m., with play-by-play voice Bob Carpenter and analyst F.P. Santangelo calling the action.
Left fielder Bryce Harper's sore left thumb is no longer a concern - he's in the lineup, batting third. Ahead of him in the batting order is Jayson Werth, who got yesterday off after being plunked in the left elbow in the Nats' penultimate Grapefruit League game.
"I texted J-Dub earlier. I said, 'Play or no?' He came back, 'Play.' But he came into the training room and said, 'I can't hardly move it.' I'm sure he's going to be fine," manager Davey Johnson said. "Probably just the cold weather. Stiffen it up."
Despite the fact that the game is being played in a National League park, both teams have agreed to use the designated hitter. This move is probably an acquiescence to protect the pitchers from being injured on the basepaths.
Either way, don't expect either team's starters to stay in the game for too long. Probably a couple of at-bats for the regulars and then a parade of reserves. And I thought I'd escaped uniform numbers usually worn by wide receivers and offensive tackles.
For the Yankees:
CF - Brett Gardner
RF - Ichiro Suzuki
2B - Robinson Cano
3B - Kevin Youkilis
DH - Travis Hafner
LF - Vernon Wells
1B - Lyle Overbay
3B - Eduardo Nunez
C - Chris Stewart
LFP - Andy Pettitte
For the Nationals:
CF - Denard Span
RF - Jayson Werth
LF - Bryce Harper
3B - Ryan Zimmerman
1B - Adam LaRoche
SS - Ian Desmond
2B - Danny Espinosa
C - Wilson Ramos
DH - Steve Lombardozzi
RHP - Jordan Zimmermann
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