Roark on pitching in the WBC, Turner on homering vs. Cards

JUPITER, Fla. - When Tanner Roark was offered a chance this winter to pitch in the World Baseball Classic, the right-hander didn't have to think twice before saying yes.

Never mind whatever concerns others may have about the injury risk of pitchers participating in the quadrennial international tournament. This was an opportunity to wear the uniform for Team USA and face elite competition, and Roark wasn't about to turn that down.

"That's one hell of a thing, to represent where you're from, and everybody else is doing the same around the world," he said. "So it's a cool thing to go head-to-head against other countries and try to come out on top."

So Roark will join Nationals teammate Daniel Murphy in departing camp in West Palm Beach on Sunday and make the short drive down to Miami to begin training with the rest of the American squad that opens competition March 10. The tournament could extend as late as March 22 if iTeam USA reaches the championship game.

"It was an easy decision," he said. "I just knew I had to work harder in the offseason and start to throw earlier, and get this arm back into good shape and knock the kinks off."

With that in mind, Roark began his offseason throwing program about a month earlier than usual, tossing a tennis ball against the wall just after Thanksgiving. The domino effect of it all: Roark was more than ready to go three innings today against the Cardinals in his first Grapefruit League start, more than anyone else from the Nationals rotation has or will throw in their first outings.

"I feel like I worked real hard this offseason, started to throw a lot earlier," he said. "Just wanted to get the arm in shape. That was the biggest key, to be ready for the WBC. Me and (pitching coach) Mike Maddux have had a good relationship talking about working up to where I want to be at. So my arm is in plenty good shape for the WBC."

Roark said he'll make one more start for the Nationals this weekend before leaving camp. He said he was told he'll be pitching Team USA's second game of pool play: March 11 versus the powerful Dominican Republic lineup.

* Trea Turner's defense at shortstop will be a topic of discussion all spring, and he had another shaky play today when he was unable to corral Aledmys Diaz's sharp grounder to his right in the bottom of the fourth (it was ruled a hit).

But Turner's biggest contributions to the Nationals, of course, still will come from his bat, as was the case in today's 5-4 loss.

Turner hammered a 1-1 fastball from Cardinals right-hander Jack Flaherty in the top of the fifth, sending it soaring over the left field wall for his first homer of the spring. It was his first hit in five at-bats so far in Grapefruit League play.

"I feel really good at the plate, even though most of my at-bats have mishit some balls," he said. "But I feel like I'm way ahead than I was last year. Mechanics-wise, seeing the ball, everything. I feel good."

Turner was batting in his customary leadoff position today, but manager Dusty Baker has said he wants to try out a bunch of different lineup combinations this spring, and some have Turner in a different slot. Given his surprising power and ability to drive in runs last season, how would he feel about batting lower in the order?

"I pride myself on being a good hitter, so if I have to, my job changes and I have to adapt to do that," Turner said. "I hit two and three a lot (in the minors) with the Padres. For 50 games in Double-A, I hit third basically the whole time. So it wouldn't be totally unusual. But at the same time, I think there's an adjustment you have to make. In the leadoff spot, you get a lot more fastballs and they pitch you a little differently. Whereas with runners on base, they start doing what they want to you."