As 2011 Spring Training comes to a close for the Nationals, it has come time to make key decisions on the team's batting order and starting rotation. On the former front, manager Jim Riggleman had an announcement that comes as a mild surprise to some. Riggleman said that Jayson Werth, the team's expensive free-agent acquisition, will hit second, not third or fourth, in the batting order to start the season.
Via CSN Washington's Mark Zuckerman:
Riggleman says Werth will hit 2nd to open season, with Zim 3rd, LaRoche 4th, Morse 5th.
Werth usually hit sixth when he was with the Phillies, so this way, he is not being miscast as a power hitter. It also gives Riggleman a chance to better take advantage of Werth's speed on the basepaths.
As for the rotation, Zuckerman reports that it'll be Livan Hernandez, John Lannan, Jordan Zimmermann, Jason Marquis and Tom Gorzelanny. He has yet to decide who wins the No. 2 job between Lannan and Zimmermann.