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VIERA, Fla. - The big news of the day at Space Coast Stadium was the Nationals' latest round of cuts, which sent 11 players to minor league camp, in addition to the team's decision to release reliever Cla Meredith. But there were a few other items concerning the players who are still in major league camp:
* Henry Rodriguez will make his Nationals debut on Sunday in Jupiter against the Marlins, finally pitching in a major league game after arriving late to camp because of visa issues. The Nationals think the flame-throwing right-hander can be a setup man or closer, and team officials have been excited to see him all spring. He was originally slated to throw a bullpen session this weekend, but pitching coach Steve McCatty released a new schedule that has Rodriguez facing live hitters.
* In one of the few pitched battles on the roster - the race for the second catcher's spot on the roster behind Ivan Rodriguez - it appears Wilson Ramos has pulled ahead of Jesus Flores. Ramos, who was acquired in trade deadline deal with the Twins last year, is hitting .375/.412/.438 this spring, while Flores is hitless in nine at-bats and doesn't look to be throwing the ball with full force. "It's not necessarily a separation between Ramos and Flores," Riggleman said. "The guys who have swung the bat the best of anybody in camp are really (Brian) Bixler, (Michael) Morse and Ramos. They've kind of separated themselves from everybody. But it's spring training."
* Ryan Zimmerman is back in the Nationals' lineup tonight after missing the last four games with a mild abdominal strain. Jayson Werth, who was off on Wednesday because of soreness in his legs, is in the lineup tonight, batting third and playing right field.
