The Washington Nationals' spring training schedule kicks off Monday when the team takes on the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie, Fla., at 1:10 p.m. This will kick off a rigorous schedule where the Nationals will play at least one game every day from now until March 29.
This will mark the professional debut of 18-year-old phenom Bryce Harper, the No. 1 pick in the 2010 MLB Draft. However, don't expect to see very much of Harper on Monday. Manager Jim Riggleman said Harper will only get one plate appearance and will not play in the field. Via Ben Goessling of MASN Sports.
Harper will likely come in as a pinch hitter and be removed from the game after his at-bat, Riggleman said. He'll probably play in the field tomorrow against the Mets at Space Coast Stadium, spelling Jayson Werth in right field.
Chad Gaudin will be the starting pitcher for the Nationals, but is not expected to last very long. Other pitchers available to throw for the Nationals include Craig Stammen, Brian Broderick, Adam Carr, Todd Coffey, Shairon Martis, Doug Slaten, Josh Wilkie and Tim Wood.
Here is today's lineup, via Goessling:
CF Nyjer Morgan
SS Ian Desmond
LF Roger Bernadina
RF Michael Morse
DH Matt Stairs
C Wilson Ramos
1B Kevin Barker
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Jerry Hairston Jr.
P Chad Gaudin