Nationals no longer have their mascot penciled in as their fifth starter now that they have signed RHP Ramon Ortiz. As the Nationals press release put it: "the Nationals now have four starters who have won 14 or more games in a single season since 2003." Ortiz will be turning 33 this season (May 23rd; if my math is correct). He has started 167 games in his 7 year career, putting up a record of 68-60 (record includes his 20 non-starts) with an ERA of 4.72. Last season he went 9-11 for the Reds, with an ERA of 5.36. He apparently gives up 3.2 walks per 9 innings, and strikes out about 5.8 in the same stretch. SI.com's article ("His best season was 2002, when he helped the Anaheim Angels win the World Series, going 15-9 with a 3.77 ERA. He went 6-0 over his final nine starts that season."), ESPN.com article (same AP story as on SI.com), and the Toronto Sun article (yet another site using that AP story).

Also, LHP Mike Stanton rejoins the team in the bullpen (as noted by Bill Ladson; I'm so excited I forgot to read his article, just linked to it).

By the way, what happened to Alberto Castillo and Michael DiFelice? I have them "penciled" in as the current potential back-up catchers, but now there's just Schneider on the depth chart and roster (they were there last time I checked, before Christmas).