Desmond to D.C.
As per Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, Ian Desmond will be the Opening Day shortstop for the Nationals, beating out veteran Christian Guzman:
“Desmond has had an exceptional spring,” Riggleman said. “And as we
look into the future, this is a guy that could play for us in 2010 and
’15. But for the year ’10, he is playing really good in Spring
Training, but he may not be playing well in May, so Guzman may be our
shortstop. But to open the season, we’ll give Desi a shot to hold that
position down. We hope that works. If it does, then Guzzie has to be
able to play some other positions.”
look into the future, this is a guy that could play for us in 2010 and
’15. But for the year ’10, he is playing really good in Spring
Training, but he may not be playing well in May, so Guzman may be our
shortstop. But to open the season, we’ll give Desi a shot to hold that
position down. We hope that works. If it does, then Guzzie has to be
able to play some other positions.”
The Nats are likely to rotate Desmond, Guzman and Adam Kennedy in the middle infield. Eric Bruntlett, a non-roster invitee who has played well this spring, still is a possibility as a utility player in the nation’s capital as well.
That leaves the Chiefs with some combination of Bruntlett, Seth Bynum, Pete Orr and Alberto Gonzalez (who has hit the cover off the ball this spring) in terms of utility infielder-types.
