Lineups: Nats vs. Mets in West Palm Beach

Lineups: Nats vs. Mets in West Palm Beach

After their first true day off of the spring, the Nationals are back in action tonight in West Palm Beach, facing the Mets. And tonight marks the end of the second turn through the projected rotation.

Joe Ross is on the mound for his second start, looking to build off a solid debut against this same New York lineup in which he threw 39 pitches across 1 2/3 innings and struck out three. Though nobody is saying it out loud, it seems pretty clear Ross is the planned No. 5 starter entering the season, barring some kind of turn of events over the next couple weeks.

Just as when Ross faced the Mets five days ago, it'll again be Jordan Yamamoto facing the Nats. Given that these two teams will be opening the season against each other, you wonder if Davey Martinez would actually prefer his guys get a look at Jacob deGrom or Carlos Carrasco instead of Yamamoto, who is not expected to make the club. But you deal with what you're given.

Juan Soto is back in the lineup tonight after missing several days with what was believed to be a sinus issue. Martinez says there are no lingering concerns there, which is good news. Soto is batting second once again, between Victor Robles and Trea Turner.

And for the first time this spring, Dave Jageler joins Charlie Slowes on the air. The dynamic duo's radio broadcast can be heard online only; it was initially scheduled to appear on 980 AM, but the Georgetown Hoyas' surprising run to tonight's Big East championship game foiled those plans, so it's online only again.

Thumbnail image for soto-trots-home-white-gold-sidebar.jpgWASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. NEW YORK METS
Where: The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach
Gametime: 6:05 p.m. EST
TV: None
Radio: nationals.com, MLB.com
Weather: Mostly clear, 74 degrees, wind 10 mph in from right field

NATIONALS
CF Victor Robles
RF Juan Soto
SS Trea Turner
1B Josh Bell
LF Kyle Schwarber
2B Starlin Castro
C Alex Avila
DH Hernán Pérez
3B Carter Kieboom

RHP Joe Ross

METS
2B Jeff McNeil
SS Francisco Lindor
RF Michael Conforto
DH J.D. Davis
C James McCann
3B Jonathan Villar
CF Kevin Pillar
LF Albert Almora Jr.
1B Brandon Drury

RHP Jordan Yamamoto

Limited spring schedule forces Nats to get creativ...
Pandemic alters interactions between veterans and ...