• Today's Game Cancelled at 12:22 pm EST.

The first round of cuts came today. Early this morning, MLB.com's Bill Ladson's announced (via Twitter, @washingnats for updates) that C Derek Norris and (RHP) Joel Peralta have been sent to minor league camp. Shortly afterwards the rest of the names came out. (RHP) Logan Kensing, (LHP) Victor Garate and (OF) Jerry Owens were assigned to Minor League camp and (LHP)'s Eddie Guardado and Shawn Estes were given their unconditional releases by the Nationals. According to @NatsTownNews' count, the roster stood at 53 after the morning's moves.

(ed. note - "If you're not familiar with Eddie Guardado's history with the Washington Nationals, check this out, suffice it to say, the left-handed veteran who once dreaded having to come to the nation's capital, failed to make the team, and didn't even survive the first cut. Whether that's a sign of what time and a long career have done to diminish Guardado's skills or the improvement on the Nationals' roster is a difficult question to answer. Probably a little of both.")

• DC Starting Lineup and Game Notes after the JUMP... Game Cancelled at 12:22 pm EST.

• Meanwhile, (if the rain allows it, which is a BIG question mark right now), the Nationals will welcome the Houston Astros to Space Coast Stadium in sunny Viera, Florida this afternoon for the ninth game this Spring, which will feature DC lefty John Lannan on the mound against the 'Stros Roy Oswalt in a 1:05 pm EST affair that will be broadcast on XM ch. 184, MLB Game Day audio, MLB's At Bat Mobile App, etc., (w/ etc. including FB favorites Charlie and Dave on 1500 WFED at 12:50). John Lannan's first start this Spring saw the 25-year-old left hander allow 2 hits, 2 ER and 2 walks in 2 IP, with the second inning a quick 1-2-3, while the first was delayed by a one-out single, HBP and base-loading walk which cost Lannan both runs he'd allow. Roy Oswalt, the Astros' right-hander who turned 32 last August, is entering his 10th MLB season, and he started it with 2.0 scoreless innings in his first outing this Spring, walking 3, K'ing 2 and allowing 1 hit in an otherwise successful outing. 

DC Starting Lineup:

1. Nyjer Morgan - CF
2. Roger Bernadina - RF
3. Ryan Zimmerman - 3B
4. Adam Dunn - 1B
5. Josh Willingham - LF
6. Adam Kennedy - 2B
7. Elijah Dukes - DH
8. Jamie Burke - C
9. Alberto Gonzalez - SS

Notes: Completely random, but...Did you know Elijah Dukes uses D-Bat model 110's? According to the D-Bat company's Twitter, Dukes just placed his order for the season. According to MASNSports.com's Ben Goessling (@masnBen), the Nationals' will pitch Livan Hernandez on Sunday, immediately after the Nationals' '09 no. 1 overall pick Stephen Strasburg in what is sure to be a nightmare for opposing hitters. 100mph fastball followed by a 62 mph eephus, good luck.