Nationals spring training roster

First the Washington Nationals trade for Gio Gonzalez. Then they sign Edwin Jackson to a one-year deal. I ask you: Has this team ever been more ready for rainouts — not to mention doubleheaders?

Brad Lidge has been to the top of the mountain - and on the bottom of the pile. He's been the man on the mound when the World Series championship is decided, the one spreading his arms, ready to receive a jubilant catcher after reaching the sport's pinnacle.

In the past few days, the Washington Nationals have been busy with housekeeping. They've extended Gio Gonzalez, given hefty raises to Jordan Zimmermann and Tyler Clippard in their first years of arbitration, and boosted the salaries of lefty Tom Gorzelanny and catcher Jesus Flores with modest raises as well.

The Washington Nationals cut ties with reliever Doug Slaten Monday night, choosing to non-tender the left-hander. Slaten was the only one of seven arbitration eligible players Washington did not offer a contract to for the 2012 season.

Washington Nationals pitcher Tom Gorzelanny wants to be a starter, not a reliever. He makes no secret of that.

Remember how Stephen Strasburg sent shock waves through baseball and became a huge gate attraction last year, making his team a national story in the process?

Friday evening at Nationals Park will mark a monumental occasion for right-hander Chien-Ming Wang. He will pitch in a major league game for the first time in more than two years and do so for an organization that has invested $3 million in his health over the past two seasons.

Tom Gorzelanny was something of a hot topic this week as the Nationals moved from Atlanta, to Houston and finally to Los Angeles. He and his sprained right ankle, that is. Whether Gorzelanny would make Saturday night’s start at Dodger Stadium was somewhat in question until midweek.