• Today's 1:05 pm EST Nats game with the Houston Astros, which will feature Yunesky Maya on the mound for the first few innings, is available via MLB.com's Gameday Audio, it's live on WFED 1500 AM in DC and it's also on Sirius/XM ch. 185 for satellite radio subscribers.
• Twitter: @NationalsPR: "#Nationals lineup vs. HOU - Bern. 8, Espi 4, Werth DH, Zim 5, Morse 9, LaRoche 3, Pudge 2, Frazier 7, Gonzalez 6, Maya 1."
• LINKS AND LINKS AND...
• "He's right there at the top of the list, but nobody's pitched themselves out of a slot there yet." - Jim Riggleman on Ross Detwiler - MASN's Ben Goessling, "Braves 5, Nationals 0: Postgame reaction."
• "'That's the great thing about coming in here with more than five starters,' Riggleman said. "There are seven or eight guys [in the mix], and he's one of them.'" - Jim Riggleman on Ross Detwiler - Washington Post, Dave Sheinin, "Detwiler impressive in start versus Braves."
• "'By having that mentality -- slowing things down -- it allowed the changeup and slider to work more. Slowing down my delivery allowed all my pitches to work better.'" Adam Carr to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, "Carr hoping comeback finishes with MLB debut."
• Twitter: MASN's Ben Goessling (@MASNBen): "Livan Hernandez faced the minimum in four innings of an intrasquad game today. He allowed one hit, but ended the fourth with a double play."
• Twitter: MLB.com's Bill Ladson (@washingnats): "#Defense, #Defense, #Defense. An error by SS Ian Desmond allows Alex Gonzalez to score in the top of second inning."
• "[Jordan Zimmermann] threw more sliders than curves pre-injury, but used the curve more last year. It will be interesting to see how his pitch selection looks this year." - "Thoughts on Jordan Zimmermann." - John Sickels, Minor League Ball
• Adam Dunn Link:
• "I don't think (DHing) will be all that big an adjustment. Then again, it could be the biggest ever.'' - White Sox Dunn embraces new DH role - Jon Heyman - SI.com
• Today's Message from the Dalai Lama on Twitter (@DalaiLama): "Altruism means that we should not be exclusively preoccupied with our own welfare. This does not imply that one should become a martyr!"
• NatsTown:
• "While spring production generally is meaningless for veterans, it would have been nice to see [Nyjer] Morgan, who struggled all last season, come into spring with his game finely tuned." - William Yoder, The Nats Blog, "Nats Get Two-Hit By Braves, Detwiler Shines."
• "[Ross] Detwiler overhauled his machanics over the winter, and from first impression it seems the exaggerated, pronounced cross-body motion that has put so much stress on his front hip is gone..." - Detwiler Sharp in Nationals 5-0 Loss to Atlanta." - Dave Nichols, Nats News Network.
• Ramos v Flores, Cora v Gonzalez, Ankiel v Bernadina v Morse? - "Spring Training Battles: Week 1" - Mac, Capitol Baseball
• NL EAST:
• Marlins: "[Matt] Dominguez is under a microscope this spring as the Marlins try to determine whether the 20-year-old prospect is ready to take on the challenge of major league pitching. His defense is not an issue." - Florida Marlins encouraged by Matt Dominguez’s development | Clark Spencer, ChatMarlins.com®
• Phillies: "Without Brown, Ben Francisco has a good chance to take over as Philadelphia’s right fielder. The Phillies are replacing Jayson Werth, who signed with the Washington Nationals as a free agent." - NYTimes.com/AP, "Phillies Say Surgery Is Likely for Rookie
• Mets: "'Once I'm playing games, I'm not thinking about trying to be cautious. I'm trying to play the game the way it is.'" - Carlos Beltran to Bill Whitehead, TCPalm.com, "Mets notebook: Beltran passes another test."
• Braves: "Freeman hasn't allowed himself to accept the fact that the Braves had basically already given him the starting first-base job long before Spring Training ever began." - Mark Bowman, MLB.com, "Braves' Freddie Freeman looking ready for starting role."