• Programming Note: Today's game between the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals, live from Space Coast Stadium in sunny Viera, Florida will be broadcast live on WHFS 1580 AM in DC and it's also available via MLB.com's Gameday Audio, MLB's At Bat 11 app and on Sirius/XM channel 183. Jordan Zimmermann vs Jaime Garcia at 1:05 pm EST.
• Twitter: MLB.com's Bill Ladson (@washingnats) Friday Lineup vs Cards: #Nats vs. #Cards: Morgan-8, Desmond-6, Werth-9, LaRoche-3, Morse-7, Pudge-2, Espinosa-4, Gonzalez-5, Zimmermann-1 #Subjecttochange
• LINKS AND LINKS AND...
• NATS BEAT:
• "If Rizzo and the Lerners are sure about Riggleman, convinced that he’s the right man to lead them as their prospects mature, then they should publicly exercise his option before the season begins." - "Nationals should show Jim Riggleman that he’s part of their future" - Jason Reid, The Washington Post
• "'He didn’t pitch his way off the ball club,' Riggleman said. 'He’s got some things to work on.'" - Riggleman on Kimball - "Derek Norris, Chris Marrero, Cole Kimball leave an impression" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "'I would say that this weekend he'll get back into some baseball stuff, hitting and fielding, and maybe early next week get him in some games,' said Riggleman." - Riggleman on Zimmerman - "Riggleman targets weekend for Zimmerman to resume baseball activities" - MASN, Pete Kerzel
• "'I know that the lineup we're in, there's going to be plenty of offense, so it kind of takes some of the pressure off me...'" - Ian Desmond on batting in leadoff spot - "Desmond could factor into Nats' leadoff mix" - Alden Gonzalez, Bill Ladson, MLB.com
• "Detwiler and Maya will almost certainly open the year at Syracuse and will be the first two starters summoned if and when the Nationals need assistance." - "From 38 to 25" - NatsInsider.com, Mark Zuckerman
• "If they send me down to the Minors, I'll try to fight to get back to the big leagues." - Yunesky Maya on possibly starting at Triple-A - "With little room for error, Yunesky Maya has shaky start" - Alden Gonzalez, MLB.com
• ""His future is probably in that long (relief) area or as a starter,' Riggleman said of Broderick." - "Rule 5 pick Broderick forcing way into bullpen picture" - Pete Kerzel, MASN
• NATSTOWN:
• "There are several questions that still need to be answered before opening day: 1) Who starts in center field? 2) Who will be the closer? 3) Who will be the backup catcher? 4) What is the backup plan if Michael Morse is exposed as an every day player in left?" - "Real Spring Training Battles Heating Up" - Dave Nichols, NatsNewsNetwork
• "I Knew The Nats Should Have Worn Green" - DangerNat, Nationals Inquisition
• "What to do in CF" - Charlie, The Nationals Review
• "Maya: Where's the heat?" - David Lint, For Love of the Nationals
• The ugly red tent at Nationals Park is coming down - The Nationals Enquirer
• Playing Pepper 2011: Washington Nationals (C70 At The Bat) Interview with Dave Nichols from NNN
• Twitter: Your Daily Message from the Dalai Lama on Twitter (@DalaiLama): "One of the best ways to begin familiarizing ourselves with the virtue of patience is to reflect systematically on its benefits."
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Marlins: "Is Matt Dominguez the Answer?" - Chris Cwik, FanGraphs Baseball
• Phillies: "'The [fastball] pop is coming,' Lidge said. 'But my pop will never be there until the first game I’m closing in the regular season.'" - "Phillies' Lidge takes positive step in recovery" - Jim Salisbury, CSNPhilly.com
• Braves: "The Braves veteran third baseman has notched nine hits, including four doubles and two homers, in his past 15 at-bats." - "Chipper Jones leads Braves' barrage against Nats" - Mark Bowman, MLB.com
• Mets: "2011 Amazin Avenue Top 50 Mets Prospects: Top 10" - Rob Castelllano, Amazin' Avenue
• Mets: via Twitter: Luis Castillo released. Feel the Twitter Love.