Submitted by Jeff on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 7:45am.
- Friday was John Patterson's turn to start, but since the pitcher was released a day earlier, Matt Chico got the start, and made his case for starting the season in the rotation: 4.1 innings of scoreless ball, although he allowed six hits and a walk. Unfortunately, the bullpen didn't come through, with Chris Schroder allowing five runs in 1.2 innings. Mets beat the Nats 8-2 in Port St. Lucie.
- Chico, reinvigorated by a return to a high leg kick in his delivery, appears likely now to make the rotation. "[I]t now seems clear the stunning release of Patterson the day before was expressly designed to make room for Chico," the Post notes.
- Friday's game also featured the spring debut of Paul Lo Duca, who started as catcher and went 1-for-3 against his former team. "My knee is not an issue," he said after the game. "I feel really good. I feel 100 percent, to be honest with you. I'm excited." Lo Duca told MLB.com that he thanks the Nats for standing by him despite his knee injury and his inclusion in the Mitchell Report.
- Lo Duca's backup, Johnny Estrada, will almost certainly miss the start of the season with a sore right elbow. If Estrada does go on the DL Wil Nieves will get the backup job. Also: Elijah Dukes played for the first time in a week Friday and still experienced soreness in his hamstring, but went 1-for-3.
- Now that Ronnie Belliard is the "front-runner" to start at second when the season begins, the Cubs are interested in trading for disgruntled Nats infielder Felipe Lopez, "two rival baseball executives" tell the Post. The Cubs are looking for a second baseman and tried unsuccessfully to get the Orioles' Brian Roberts. The Nats are "actively shopping" Lopez, who earlier this week said he would not accept a bench role with the team.
- The first baseball game at Nationals Park is today, when the GW Colonials host the St. Joseph's Hawks. Only a few thousand people will be in attendance, most of them affiliated with the two schools. Stadium staff will be "testing everything" in the game, from the concessions to the video board, according to team president Stan Kasten.
- "Everything is on the positive side" about the new stadium, Kasten said in an MLB.com interview. He admitted, though, that the tight schedule has been a challenge in getting the ballpark ready. "I would have liked to have more time, or start on March 1, but it just wasn't there."
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