Chico's the man

Submitted by Jeff on Mon, 03/05/2007 - 7:14am.

Rookie pitcher Matt Chico had a dominating spring debut Sunday, allowing only a single in three innings of work at home against the Dodgers. "I felt like I made an impression," Chico said in his hopes of making the rotation. His performance highlights the Nats' first win of the spring, beating LA 6-2. (Box score)
The news wasn't so bright in the Nats' other split-squad game, losing to the Astros 9-2 in Kissimmee. While Jason Bergmann had a good start, allowing only two hits in two innings, Mike Bacsik allowed seven runs in 1.2 innings. (Box score)
Jason Simontacchi, the starter Sunday in Viera, had a good appearance despite giving up two runs in the third. "I'm just happy to be here," he said. "It's a cliche, I know. But I am." (At least he didn't say, "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.")
Before Sunday's game team officials met with Ryan Zimmerman and his agent about a new contract. No deal was reached, although Zimmerman called the hour-long talks "positive". While the Post reports that a multiyear deal "remains possible", MLB.com reported that the discussions were primarily about just a one-year contract.
Months after the trade that shook up his career, Austin Kearns is now feeling more comfortable in Washington. Kearns' father, Dan, on the difference between Cincinnati and DC: "They talk about Cincinnati being a great baseball town, but they look for you to strike out so they can boo. Here they were, Washington, in last place, and they cheered everything."
Speaking of Cincinnati and that trade, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Gary Majewski probably will not be ready to start the season with the Reds because his recovery from his shoulder injury is keeping him from throwing off a mound until at least March 10. And that grievance Reds officials have been planning to file? "The club plans to file a grievance over the deal, although a settlement could be reached," the newspaper reported.
Remember when Ian Desmond was the shortstop of the future? The future's here, but Desmond is still struggling in the minors, and blames his problems on getting too much advice. "I think I started to get way too complex in my thinking. I was listening to too many people," he said. Desmond is in the accelerated minor league program, working on both his hitting and fielding, and hopes to start the year in Double-A.