Wire Taps: Washington Nationals' LF Michael Morse Speaks, San Diego Padres Interested In Alberto Gonzalez?

• Programming Note: Livan Hernandez will be on the hill for the Washington Nationals this afternoon when the Nats take on the St. Louis Cardinals at 1:05 pm EDT in Jupiter, Florida, but he won't be on the air anywhere as it's back to the live box score on MLB Gameday and the MLB At Bat 11 app if you want to follow today's Grapefruit League action live from Roger Dean Stadium. Yesterday it was Justin Verlander and the Tigers, today it's Chris Carpenter and the Cards...

• Nats' Starting Lineup: via @NationalsPR on Twitter: "Lineup at #Cardinals - Morgan 8, Desmond 6, Nix 9, LaRoche 3, Morse 7, Pudge 2, Espi 4, Cora 5, Hernandez 1

• Michael Morse On Starting In Left To Start The Season On MLB Network Radio: "Jim [Riggleman] knows me pretty well since being over in Seattle together and stuff and my big thing especially when I wasn't playing every day, was I told him one time, I said, 'You know, Jim, don't tell me when I'm playing. Or don't tell me when I'm gonna start the night before. Nothing. Because I like to come to the park every day feeling like I'm playing that day, I'm going to be in the lineup. So to me it's kind of the same the feeling, like he really doesn't have to tell me even though I've heard it through the media. He told me the other day I'm going to be playing left, but it's nothing that I'm waiting to hear something...I'm just going to keep playing my game. I'm not going to change anything." 

• Padres Interested In The General?

• Twitter: "Don't see the #Padres making a move on a backup SS until asking price drops (final week?). Robert Andino, Alberto Gonzalez on radar." - MLB.com Corey Block (@FollowthePadres)

• "On another note, the Padres have been looking hard at infielder Alberto Gonzalez, who's out of options. The Nationals seem to have sufficient depth at utility infield with Jerry Hairston and Alex Cora." - "Broderick making his case" - MASN, Phil Wood.

• NATS BEAT: 

• "MLB.com: What are your thoughts on Cole Kimball? [Mark] Lerner: 'Cole is awesome. Obviously, he is not going to be here for Opening Day. I'm pretty sure you will see him pretty early on in the season or midseason.'" - "Nationals owner Mark Lerner discusses club's talent with MLB.com" - MLB.com, Bill Ladson

• "'I understand the demotion is a business decision, as it is for all first year 40-man roster guys,' [Cole] Kimball said. 'I will work as hard as I have been to help the big club out at some point this year.'" - "Despite demotion, Kimball remains determined to reach Bigs this year" - MASN, Byron Kerr

• "Lerner said the team is considering a move to Arizona, or even another town in Florida." - "Owner: Nationals Need New Spring Home" - WESH Orlando

• "'Our problem is basically logistics. Our closest game is 120-mile round trip. We cannot do that. It’s tiring. It messes up our practice schedule. It’s not good for the organization.'" - Mark Lerner on Nationals spring training site: ‘We have no choice but to look at our options’ - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• Your Daily Message from the Dalai Lama on Twitter (@DalaiLama): "All ethical teachings, whether religious or nonreligious, aim to nurture compassion, to develop it and to perfect it."

• "'They’re developing a good everyday lineup. Pretty impressive,' said [Jim] Leyland, ticking off names like Werth, Ryan Zimmerman, Adam LaRoche and shortstop Ian Desmond, a favorite of the Tigers. 'But I guess it comes down to starting pitching for them.'" - "As spring arrives, reality dawns for Nationals" - Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post

• "'I guess we can wait right up until the end,' Riggleman said when asked how long it might take for one of the center fielders to separate himself from the pack." - "Gorzelanny hones in on rotation spot; center field still up in the air" - MASN, Pete Kerzel

• "'I just worry about throwing good and making a tough decision for these guys. I feel like I can pitch up here, and I hope they see that...'" - (ed. note - "Go Bally Go.") -  "Fighting ‘numbers game,’ Collin Balester stays focused" - Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post

• NATSTOWN: 

• The Shark swims with the fishes, but not that way... - Sharkadina, Street Shark: Roger Bernadina's Unofficial Blog: "Shark It Easy."

• "Should Nats Pick Up Riggleman's Option Before the Season Begins?" - Dave Nichols, Nats News Network

• "Ryan Zimmerman: Shortstop???" - Mac, Capitol Baseball

• "Sights And Sounds From Sunday In Viera, FLA" - Will Yoder, The Nats Blog

• NL EAST: 

• Mets or, uh, Phillies: Second baseman Luis Castillo is not wasting time finding a new employer. "Source: Castillo to Phillies" - Adam Rubin, Mets Blog, ESPN New York

• Mets: Oliver Perez has been released. via Twitter: Brian Costa (@BrianCostWSJ), Wall Street Journal

• Marlins: Marlins' starter is recovering from line drive suffered against the Mets earlier this spring - "Sanchez sharp vs. Mets, despite soreness in leg" - Bill Whitehead, TCPalm.com

• Braves: "The Braves don't seem concerned about the back discomfort right-hander Tommy Hanson has recently experienced. But they have decided it would be wise to take advantage of the schedule and give him two extra days to rest." - "Hanson to rest back, skip Monday start" - Mark Bowman, MLB.com

• General: 

• "Blogger On Blogger Action" - Rob Neyer On Murray Chass On Rob Neyer - SBNation.com