Game Thread: Venezuela vs. Nats in West Palm Beach

Foster Griffin makes his spring debut against a powerhouse Venezuela lineup prepping for the WBC. Plus, news of the Nats' second round of roster cuts.

The World Baseball Classic commences later this week, but before that international tournament can begin, the participating teams need to play a few exhibitions to prepare for the games that actually count. So over the last couple days, we’ve seen major-league clubs across Florida and Arizona host WBC squads, and tonight the Nationals have the opportunity to face Latin American powerhouse Venezuela.

The Venezuelan roster includes the likes of Ronald Acuña Jr., Luis Arraez, Jackson Chourio, Eugenio Suárez and Salvador Perez. That would make for a tough test for any opposing starter, but it’s going to be especially fascinating tonight to see how Foster Griffin handles the assignment.

Griffin is no stranger to international competition. He was one of the best pitchers in Japan’s Central League the last three seasons. But this is the left-hander’s first spring game action since signing with the Nats over the winter, and everyone will be curious to see how his repertoire plays against top-tier hitters.

Following their first day off this spring, the Nationals have almost entirely regulars in the lineup tonight. That includes Luis García Jr. making his first start at first base. It also includes Dylan Crews, back in action after missing a couple of days with a bruised left thumb. They’ll be facing Diamondbacks lefty Eduardo Rodriguez.

The Nationals.TV crew is back in West Palm Beach to broadcast tonight and Thursday afternoon’s games. Remember, those broadcasts are available only via the MLB app or nationals.com with a free login for those who live within the team’s designated home territory. If you live outside the region, you’ll need an MLB.TV subscription

VENEZUELA vs. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches
Gametime: 6:05 p.m. EDT
TV: Nationals.TV (in-market), MLB.TV (out-of-market)
Radio: None
Weather: Partly cloudy, 76 degrees, wind 14 mph in from right

VENEZUELA
RF Ronald Acuña Jr.
CF Javier Sanoja
2B Luis Arraez
C Salvador Perez
DH Jackson Chourio
3B Eugenio Suárez
LF Wilyer Abreu
1B Willson Contreras
SS Ezequiel Tovar

LHP Eduardo Rodriguez

NATIONALS
2B Nasim Nuñez
LF James Wood
SS CJ Abrams
1B Luis García Jr.
RF Daylen Lile
CF Dylan Crews
3B Brady House
DH Keibert Ruiz
C Drew Millas

LHP Foster Griffin

FIVE MORE REASSIGNED TO MINOR-LEAGUE CAMP
The Nationals made their second round of spring cuts this afternoon, re-assigning five players who were non-roster invitees to minor-league camp: infielders Warming Bernabel, Phillip Glasser and Cayden Wallace, outfielder Andrew Pinckney and left-hander Shinnosuke Ogasawara.

Ogasawara’s fate likely had been sealed since the organization removed him from the 40-man roster over the winter. The Japanese lefty, who received a two-year, $3.5 million contract from former general manager Mike Rizzo, will have to re-establish himself in the minors before having a chance to return to the majors.

Pinckney impressed this spring, most notably during the Nats’ Grapefruit League opener with a home run and a standout throw from right field to third base. But given the organization’s crowded outfield depth chart, the 2023 fourth-round pick is going to have to leapfrog several others to make it to D.C. at some point.

Bernabel, Glasser and Wallace all saw action off the bench this spring and could be summoned from Triple-A Rochester if a need arises during the course of the season.

Today’s moves leave 55 healthy players in big-league camp with three weeks to go until Opening Day.