• Programming Notes: This afternoon's split-squad game between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets is available only in box score form on MLB.com's Gameday or MLB's At Bat 11 app, but tonight's game between the Nats and Houston Astros is available via MLB.com's Gameday Audio. According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson's article yesterday entitled, "Espinosa's bat helps Nats hook Marlins", this afternoon's game with NY will feature Chad Gaudin on the mound while former Cubs' lefty Tom Gorzelanny will take the mound against the 'Stros this evening in his first Spring start.
• LINKS AND LINKS AND...
• NATS BEAT:
• "'I was worried about [Strasburg] before he got hurt. I was worried about Kerry Wood. The only way to make sure they don't get hurt is don't pitch them.'" - Jim Riggleman on Stephen Strasburg - "Questions about Stephen Strasburg's delivery have no sure answers." - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post.
• "'I'm keeping my sinker, changeup and slider down in the zone. If that happens, the results are going to come.'" - Jason Marquis - MLB.com's Bill Ladson, "Danny Espinosa's bat helps Nats hook Marlins."
• "'If word gets out (that we're being aggressive),' first base coach Dan Radison said, 'you'll start to see some bad throws.'" - MASN's Ben Goessling, "Nationals 8, Marlins 4: Postgame thoughts."
• "Matt [Stairs] and Alex [Cora] are great with stuff like that, what they are going to throw or just being able to talk to somebody." - Bryce Harper - Craig Heist, WTOP.com, "Marquis and Espinosa lead Nats over Marlins."
• Twitter: MLB.com's Bill Ladson (@washingnats): "OF Destin Hood will travel to Kissimmee, Fla., with the #Nats to play the Astros tonight."
• "Marquis happy with early form SPRING TRAINING." - AP Report, Fredericksburg.com:
Jason Marquis: "Pudge is getting a feel for the hitters and seeing what they're doing in the box. We'll stick it in the back of our minds, and hopefully we can pull out our bag of tricks if we need it."
• Meet Amanda Comak - "Welcome to Nationals Watch." - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "'If your club is making progress, you have to be able to manage the club in the manner of Bobby Cox and Tony Dungy -- professionalism.'" - Jim Riggleman - "Manager Jim Riggleman likes Nats' winning attitude." - MLB.com's Bill Ladson
• Twitter: ESPN's Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN): "Danny Espinosa having a big spring for the Nationals, hitting .455. The numbers don't mean a lot, but the springboard effect is always good."
• Twitter: Your Daily Message from the Dalai Lama on Twitter (@DalaiLama): "Compassion is one of the principal things that make our lives meaningful. It is the source of all lasting happiness and joy."
• NATSTOWN
• "Marquis and Espinosa Lead Nationals Over Marlins, 8-4." - Dave Nichols, Nats News Network (w/ photos by C.Nichols)
• "Annual Trip to Viera for Nats Spring Training." - Mark Hornbaker, Washington Nationals Daily News
• "10. Roger Bernadina can stop time." - "More Shark Facts." - Sharkadina, Street Shark: Roger Bernadina's Unofficial Blog
• Random Link: Even his "Quick Update(s)" are worth a read. - SI.com's Joe Posnasnki
• NL EAST:
Phillies: "The Zo Zone: Statement from Phillies on Chase Utley." - Todd Zolecki, MLB.com
Braves: "'It could have been a lot worse,' [Nate] McLouth said. 'There's no separation or anything like that. I just banged it.'" - "McLouth receives cortisone shot in shoulder." Mark Bowman, MLB.com
Braves: "Baseball roundup: Braves coach Luis Salazar hit by liner, flown to hospital" - Detroit Free Press - freep.com
"Atlanta Braves minor league manager Luis Salazar was awake and able to respond to doctors Wednesday after being hit in the face by Brian McCann's foul liner while standing in the dugout during an exhibition game."
Marlins: "'I’ve always been an everyday player, so in the beginning I was kind of uncomfortable with this job last year,’’ Bonifacio said.'" - Emilio Bonifacio - "Florida Marlins’ Emilio Bonifacio is adjusting to role as Mr. Fill-In"- Manny Navarro, MiamiHerald.com
Mets: "Mets Were Facing Financial Pressure Before Suit." - Richard Sandomir and Ken Belson, NYTimes.com
"But a look at the team’s financial condition — gleaned from public financial documents and numerous interviews — suggests the team may well have needed the proceeds from selling part of the team regardless of the suit."
Mets: "'Have we hit the ball like I hope to? Not yet, but I do believe we will because there's just too many good offensive players in the lineup,' Collins said." - Mets' Skipper Terry Collins, "Mets' biggest question: Who's on second?" - Laura Pfahler, TCPalm.com