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Stretching and shagging flies has helped Nook Logan stay limber while waiting for a nagging groin injury to improve. |
BY TODD JACOBSON
VIERA, Fla.--Nook Logan stood in center field before yesterday's game, shagging any occasional flyball that flew his way.
When the Nationals open the season Monday against the Florida Marlins, he expects to be there again--and in the starting lineup.
Logan, who strained his right groin Saturday, said he feels healthy enough to play opening day, and manager Manny Acta backtracked on previous comments, saying Logan's injury was a "day-to-day thing now instead of the two weeks we talked about before."
"I have a little soreness but there's no pain, no extra pain when I'm doing activities," Logan said. "It's improving every day."
Logan has tested his groin through stretching, light weightlifting and running on a treadmill, and he said he should be able to take batting practice today. The next step would be playing in an exhibition game this weekend.
Logan's presence on the opening day roster would create a headache for Nationals officials, who would be forced to choose between an extra outfielder (presumably rookie Kory Casto) and a 12th pitcher.
"I think I'll be ready to play this weekend," Logan said. "Actually, I could play right now. If this was the season right now I'd be playing."
Sales slumpTeam president Stan Kasten said season ticket sales have declined by about 6.3 percent this season, down 1,000 from approximately 16,000 last year as the Nationals prepare for their final season in RFK Stadium.
Kasten declined to give the actual ticket sales numbers, but said he was optimistic the team could come close to last year's numbers by opening day.
The club has sold close to 30,000 seats for opening day against the Florida Marlins on Monday.
"We'd like to sell out every night, but it's clear we're going to have a strong, strong crowd and we're happy to have them," Kasten said.
The Nationals drew 2.15 million fans to RFK Stadium last season, down from 2.73 million in 2005.
Simontacchi staying behindWhen the Nationals break camp today, right-hander Jason Simontacchi will stick around in Viera. The right-hander who might have earned a spot in the team's rotation if not for a strained groin said yesterday that he's likely two or three weeks away from being ready to pitch.
Simontacchi was reassigned to minor league camp yesterday, and he said he won't pitch again until next week at the earliest. Right-hander Jason Bergmann is in line to take Simontacchi's spot in the rotation. He allowed seven earned runs in 12 innings spanning three starts this spring before hurting himself on his final pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals March 14.
"I know what I can do when I'm healthy and they know what I can do and they'll make a decision then," Simontacchi said.
Roster moves
Right-hander Chris Booker was optioned to Triple-A Columbus before yesterday's game, leaving Saul Rivera and Jesus Colome for the final two spots in the Nationals' bullpen. Outfielder Abraham Nunez was also reassigned to minor league camp.
Dmitri Young and Ray King had their contracts purchased from Triple-A Columbus, formally joining the Nationals' 40-man roster. Both players signed non-guaranteed minor league deals, King this winter and Young in February. King will make $850,000 and Young will make $500,000.
Todd Jacobson: 540/735-1974