Game Thread: Nats vs. Marlins in Jupiter

A bunch of regulars are in today's lineup, and Zack Littell's $7 million deal (plus incentives) is now official

The Nationals are in Jupiter this afternoon to face the Marlins. Remarkably, it’s their first game away from West Palm Beach in nine days (though they’ve been the road team a couple of times vs. the Astros).

Blake Butera has a bunch of regulars in the lineup to face right-hander Eury Pérez. Today’s 1-2-3 arrangement: CJ Abrams, James Wood, Dylan Crews. Luis García Jr. also gets another start at first base, the evidence mounting he’s going to play that position somewhat regularly when the season begins in a little over two weeks.

Foster Griffin gets his second official start of the spring. The left-hander should be good for four innings, provided he keeps his pitch count manageable.

The Nats officially announced the Zack Littell signing this morning. Scroll down below the lineups for details about his contract and the corresponding 40-man roster move.

I’m unfortunately going to be busy this afternoon, so I may not have much insight on the game. Please do talk among yourselves in the comments section, though, especially if any of you are watching the game in person in Jupiter!

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. MIAMI MARLINS
Where: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, Jupiter
Gametime: 1:10 p.m. EDT
TV: None
Radio: MLB.com (Marlins feed)
Weather: Mostly sunny, 82 degrees, wind 13 mph in from right

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
LF James Wood
CF Dylan Crews
1B Luis García Jr.
RF Daylen Lile
3B Brady House
2B José Tena
C Drew Millas
DH Abimelec Ortiz

LHP Foster Griffin

MARLINS
DH Graham Pauley
CF Esteury Ruiz
1B Griffin Conine
C Joe Mack
3B Jacob Berry
RF Matthew Etzel
LF Brendan Jones
SS Jesús Bastidas
2B Johnny Olmstead

RHP Eury Pérez

LITTELL GUARANTEED $7 MILLION, LOVELADY DFA’d
The Nationals officially announced the signing of Zack Littell to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2027, and the veteran right-hander is now in camp and preparing to join the rotation.

Littell will make a guaranteed $7 million, with the opportunity to earn an additional $2.5 million in incentives, according to a source familiar with the terms. How that breaks down: He’ll have a base salary of $3 million this season, with those incentives attached to the number of innings he pitches. The mutual option for next season is for $12 million, with a $4 million buyout.

Mutual options rarely get picked up by both sides, so the most likely outcome is that Littell will make $3 million this season (plus whatever incentives he reaches) and then an additional $4 million after the season when the option is declined. (Hence, the $7 million guarantee.)

Littell had been working out on his own and has built up his arm as if he was in camp, according to the source. The Nationals will evaluate his readiness and decide whether he’s ready to start a game yet. In theory, he could make three exhibition starts before Opening Day.

Needing to a clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Littell, the Nats designated left-hander Richard Lovelady for assignment. The reliever, who was claimed off waivers from the Mets in January, had a 2.25 ERA in four spring appearances, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out seven.