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VIERA, Fla. - At present, the Nationals are missing three relievers; visa issues are still delaying Henry Rodriguez and Elvin Ramirez, while Cla Meredith underwent a medical examination after cutting a bullpen session short yesterday.
The Nationals hope to have both pitchers in camp sometime next week - they both throw in the high 90s, and each has a strong chance to make the team. But the team still doesn't know exactly when each player will arrive.
"It's unfortunate. This stuff seems to happen every year," Riggleman said. "We have people working with them down there. They're throwing. They're not going to be behind when they get here. It's just less time we have to watch them."
Meredith, who had bone chips removed from his elbow during the offseason, had discomfort in his elbow yesterday, but Riggleman said the team did not have results of his examination yet.
If he's healthy, the submariner could get a look this spring, simply because of the arm action that makes him tough for some hitters to figure out.
"It's always an interesting situation, if you can find a spot for that type of guy on that staff," Riggleman said. "There's a lot of right-handed hitters who just don't feel comfortable hitting against those guys. It's one of those things where, if somebody like that is dominating people in spring training, you've got to give them a consideration."
