‘Washington Nationals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks August 7th’
courtesy of ‘ShashiBellamkonda’

After two losses for the split-Nationals squad on Opening Day of Spring Training (aka Thursday afternoon), the Nationals are in the process of solidifying their regular season rotation.

Right now, Marquis and Lannan are on the list, but that’s all Riggleman has confirmed.

“These first couple of outings, we are going to let them get the bugs out,” Riggleman told MLB.com.

If by bugs he means losses, than that’s a good idea. Four pitchers fighting for the final rotation spots pitched in the split-squad games in Jupiter and Kissimmee, Fla. Thursday. The foursome included Right-handers J.D. Martin and Collin Balester vs. the Florida Marlins and Garrett Mock and Sharion Martis against the Houston Astros.

Here’s the run down:

Martin – pitched two shutout innings.

Balester – gave up one run in two frames.

Their game was a 10-4 loss.

Mock – shut out the Astros over two innings and gave up three hits.

Martis – allowed six runs over 1 1/3 innings.

Their game was a 15-5 loss.

Riggleman has said that we won’t hold a poor first outing against any of his pitchers. That’s all fine and well, but the Nats still need a starting rotation.

The Nats next Spring Training game is today at 1:05 p.m. vs. the Atlanta Braves. Miguel Batista will take the mound against Atlanta’s Derek Lowe.