The Washington Nationals send 28-year-old right-hander Edwin Jackson to the mound this afternoon to take on the visiting Detroit Tigers in Viera, Florida's Space Coast Stadium. The start will be Jackson's fourth this Spring. In his previous three outings the nine-year MLB veteran has allowed eight hits and four runs, two of them earned in 9.1 IP. Last time out, against the same Tigers he'll face today, the Nats' starter gave up five hits, two walks and two earned runs in 3.1 IP. Jackson told reporters after the last start that in spite of the results he felt better on the mound last time out than he has all Spring. Jackson's fourth start can be heard on 106.7 the FAN, 1500 WFED, MLB's Gameday Audio and Sirius/XM ch. 178.
The "big" news out of Florida this morning is that the Nationals, as Washington Times' reporter Amanda Comak first reported, have signed 33-year-old veteran outfielder Xavier Nady to a minor league deal. The veteran of 10 MLB seasons will start off in the Nats' minor league camp then report to Triple-A Syracuse to start the season. The signing is viewed as insurance for the Nationals who are currently dealing with a lot of injuries. This morning, MLB.com's Bill Ladson reported on Twitter (@washingnats) that neither Michael Morse (who continues to deal with a lat strain) and Adam LaRoche (who apparently has a bone bruise and "cartilage issues" in his foot), "... are not expected to play in a Major League exhibition game for at least a week." The Washington Times' Ms. Comak did add on Twitter (@acomak) that the Nats, "... are not overly concerned about Michael Morse's lat strain. They just want him to rest & fully heal."
• Here's the lineup the Nationals will send out behind Edwin Jackson this afternoon:
- Ian Desmond - SS
- Danny Espinosa - 2B
- Ryan Zimmerman - 3B (Word.)
- Jayson Werth - CF
- Chad Tracy - DH
- Jesus Flores - C
- Bryce Harper - RF
- Tyler Moore - 1B
- Roger Bernadina - LF
- Edwin Jackson - RHP