Baker says decision on relievers coming after the game

Nationals manager Dusty Baker and he and his staff's biggest roster decisions before opening day involve who they will keep in the bullpen.

Baker said before Friday's exhibition game versus the Twins that the Nats will decide on which relievers they will keep at the conclusion of tonight's contest.

"We're going to notify the guys after the game," Baker said. "We would've done it before, but (GM) Mike (Rizzo) is suffering with kind of a bad back. He had to go see the doctor. So we'll do it after game."

Baker has decided against an eight-man bullpen to begin the season. There will be seven relievers in the bullpen with the obvious five starters. The Nationals have days off on Tuesday and Friday in the season's first week.

Several spots in the bullpen are set: closer Jonathan Papelbon, right-handed swingman Yusmeiro Petit, left-handers Felipe Rivero and Oliver Perez, and righty Shawn Kelley. Baker has said right-hander Matt Belisle has made the club. That leaves several players vying for one remaining spot: lefty Sean Burnett and righties Blake Treinen and Trevor Gott.

"What we decided to do is put a couple of the starters in the bullpen for the first couple days," Baker said. "(For) the staff continuity and there's something to being on the opening day roster instead of being left behind in Florida and feeling part of the team.

"It's a privilege and honor to be out there because everybody remembers opening day. They're all different and you wonder what the year is going to be like and a lot of different things (are) going through your mind."

Will starters throw simulated games or extra bullpens between starts in the first few weeks with the extra days off in the schedule? Baker said that decision is all on his pitching coach, Mike Maddux.

"Well, you got to ask Mike that," Baker said. "Mike's in charge of the pitching. He had some guys throwing bullpens today. I'm not exactly sure who. Mike's on top of it and I'll let him handle that department."

Baker said the lineup for Friday's game against Minnesota will have a good chance of being repeated Monday for opening day in Atlanta.

"There's a decent chance," Baker said. "There's a heck of a chance. It can change from day to day depending on who's available. It depends on health, matchups, all kinds of things. We're going to infiltrate other guys into the lineup big time and try to get Michael A. Taylor in there as much as possible.

"Especially the hot guys leaving spring training, you don't want them to lose that heat by inactivity because that's what happens you start the season and you're used to playing every day. At least a couple of at-bats, and then you start the season and go with the same lineup everyday, especially early, guys really don't need days off much.

"I like my lineup and I like my bench."