The Nationals reassigned SS Ian Desmond, LHP Joe Horgan, and RHPs Anastacio Martinez and Santiago Ramirez to their minor league camp.

In 11 games this Spring, Desmond had 15AB batting 267/313/267 with 4K/1BB. Desmond is viewed as the SS of the future and will report to Harrisburg where he will team with Kory Casto up the middle for the Senators. Desmond needs to work on his patience at the plate if he hopes to have success at the major league level.

Horgan reports to minor league camp after 6IP this spring allowing 11H, 4R(3ER), 2BB, and 3K. Horgan was a longshot to make the team with the presence of Joey Eischen and Mike Stanton. He was likely also behind prospect Bill Bray and minor league free agent Valerio de los Santos with regards to LH RP available to the Nationals. Depending upon the health of Joey Eischen, Horgan will either pitch in Harrisburg or New Orleans in 2006.

Martinez and Ramirez both had little chance of cracking into the Nationals bullpen. Martinez was knocked around in 7.1IP this spring allowing 15H 14R(10ER) 3HR 1BB 5K 2HBP. Ramirez pitched better in 6.1IP (6H 4R(4ER) 1HR 2BB 5K 1HBP), but not enough to put himself ahead of Felix Rodriguez, Steve Watkins, Saul Rivera, or Kevin Gryboski in the renewed battle for RH RP in the Nats pen in light of the season ending injury to Luis Ayala.