Wire Taps: Nationals’ injuries to be concerned about; Stephen Strasburg trusts the process; Mets will be tougher...

Assuming that free agents only sign on weekdays (which may not be totally true anymore), today is the final day that Jake Arrieta can sign with a team and be realistically ready for Opening Day.

(He’s definitely not signing today.)

Here’s the scoop from South Florida.

(20 days until Opening Day)

Which Nationals injuries are the most concerning?
We haven't seen Adam Eaton or Daniel Murphy yet. Michael Taylor is sidelined for the moment. About whom should we worry? (Hint: Murphy.)

Could the Nats trade Brian Goodwin?
Brian Goodwin could be the fourth outfielder. But with Victor Robles rearing to go, it seems possible that he'll usurp Goodwin's Opening Day spot, bearing the question: what of Goodwin?

Stephen Strasburg "trusting the process"
Strasburg knows how to keep himself healthy and effective, and unfortunately for an impatient person like himself, that means not going full throttle in Spring Training.

Robles is among top prospect performers in Spring Training
Victor Robles simply can't stop hitting in the month of March, not that it matters too much.

Eager Goodwin prepares to be ready when called upon
Brian Goodwin was once a top prospect. Now, at age 27, he's about to crack a regular big-league spot on the bench — but he wants more.

Nationals make first round of Spring Training cuts
Jimmy Cordero, Brady Dragmire, David Goforth (PUN POTENTIAL LOST), Roman Mendez, Cesar Vargas, Taylor Gushue, and Osvaldo Abreu got the first turn under the axe. Also, Wander Suero left Thursday's game with an injury.

To keep him around for when it matters, the Nats have to ease off Stephen Strasburg when it doesn't really matter
With four more off-days in the schedule this season, with two in early April, the Nats have already seen an early opportunity to manipulate their pitching staff to keep pitchers like Strasburg—who relies on routine to remain healthy—going strong.

Noah Syndergaard is healthy, and the Mets are poised for a rebound
With Syndergaard healthy (and striking out seven Nationals in a row on Thursday), it looks like the Mets could pose a much more legitimate threat to the Nats' continued dominance over the NL East this season.

Saturday’s Game: Nationals vs. Astros — 1:05 PM
Probable Pitchers: Gio Gonzalez vs. Dallas Keuchel