Guzman says shoulder a little weak, but pain-free

March 7, 2010 12:20 PM by Ben Goessling View Comments

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman said this morning his right shoulder, which was surgically repaired in the offseason, is still a little weak on some throws. But Guzman said he isn't feeling any pain, and will be ready to play shortstop for the Nationals on Monday.

Guzman played his first game of the spring on Saturday, starting at DH in what manager Jim Riggleman called a "precaution" that would give Guzman another day to build strength in his shoulder. He stayed back at the team's spring training facility in Viera to work out while the Nationals traveled to Port St. Lucie for a game against the Mets.

"Sometimes when I'm throwing, it's a little weak, but I don't have any pain," Guzman said. "A couple more days."

The Nationals had discussed the possibility of moving Guzman to second base and starting Ian Desmond at shortstop, but scuttled those plans when they signed Adam Kennedy to start at second. Desmond is off to an impressive start this spring, and could still push Guzman for playing time if Guzman -- who turns 32 two weeks from Sunday -- isn't ready to go.

Guzman, who's been the Nationals' starting shortstop since their first season in 2005, didn't want to discuss the team's prior plan to move him to second, and said he isn't worried about competing with Desmond.

"That's why I don't read the papers," Guzman said. "I don't want to know what somebody says. It doesn't matter. Everybody can say whatever they want to say. It's OK. He's a good kid. He can play."

The Nationals still need to figure out if Guzman can. They'll start to get answers on Monday.

"I want to be there," Guzman said. "I want to know (what I can do) with somebody running to first."