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Washington Nationals announce 2015 Opening Day roster

The Washington Nationals waited until this afternoon to make the 2015 Opening Day roster official. Dan Uggla is in. Clint Robinson is in. A number of players are starting on the DL, so things could change in the next few weeks, but for now it's official...

By Patrick Reddington
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Nationals announced their Opening Day roster this afternoon, making it official with a note on Twitter and a press release which broke down the news. No big surprises since yesterday's roster cuts made it all-but official. Dan Uggla might be the one sort-of surprising name on the roster, considering he struggled last season and was released by both the Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants.

After having a long-standing issue with his vision -- (which was tied to several HBPs to the head in the last few years) -- diagnosed as an oculomotor dysfunction, Uggla was given exercises to help him recover and he came into camp on a minor league deal and earned a spot on the Nats' Opening Day roster.

"This guy brings a lot of success with him. That's what I saw from him. Confidence. Calm at the plate. Seeing the baseball well." - Matt Williams on Dan Uggla impressing this Spring

Though it wasn't made official on Saturday, Nationals' manager Matt Williams did talk to reporters about being impressed with what the 35-year-old infielder was able to accomplish this Spring.

"Danny had a great spring," Williams said. "I think that what he showed us is he's comfortable, he's seeing the baseball well. He's started games. He's come in late. He's pinch hit. He's done all of the things that he's done in the past. This guy brings a lot of success with him. That's what I saw from him. Confidence. Calm at the plate. Seeing the baseball well. Tomorrow we'll be able to make those determinations, but Dan played really well."

Uggla is in.

Other interesting names? Blake Treinen is in, presumably in the bullpen, after he started the season working as a starter in case he was needed in that role. Xavier Cedeno is part of the Opening Day bullpen as well, after a few seasons of sporadic work and a lot of miles logged between D.C. and Syracuse.

New additions Matt den Dekker (trade w/ Mets) and Reed Johnson (minor league deal) are on the Nats' bench as backup outfielders.

That's about it for interest/surprising notes outside of Clint Robinson's inclusion on the bench which was announced on Saturday.

The Nationals also announced in their press release on the roster that RHP Erik Davis (TJS), RHP Casey Janssen (right shoulder inflammation), Nate McLouth (right shoulder surgery), Anthony Rendon (left knee sprain), Denard Span (right core muscle injury) and Jayson Werth (right AC joint surgery) would all start the season on the 15-Day DL, retroactive to March 27th.

Here is the official Nationals' Opening Day roster:

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