If the Nationals don’t make significant moves to improve their starting pitching, Livan Hernandez will be their Opening Day starter, MLB.com has learned. The Nationals’ first regular-season game of the 2011 season will be March 31 against the Braves at Nationals Park. If an ace pitcher is not acquired by then, Hernandez would be in line to make his fourth Opening Day start in a Nationals/Expos uniform. He had the honor from 2004-06. Manager Jim Riggleman and general manager Mike Rizzo were not available for comment. — Nationals.com

The Nationals could sign another pitcher, like former Rockies starter Jeff Francis, or pursue a trade for Tampa Bay’s Matt Garza, but they could also go into the 2011 season with the pitchers on their roster. Though team officials know the Nationals will not have anything close to their ideal rotation until Stephen Strasburg returns from Tommy John surgery, they are hopeful the rotation will pitch better than last year, with Jordan Zimmermann returning to full strength and John Lannan staying consistent through the entire season. — MASN Sports

The Nationals are not actively pursuing Carl Pavano, the top starting pitcher left on the free agent market, according to multiple team sources. Continue reading →

With Adam LaRoche in the fold, the Nationals rounded out their starting lineup. Their next target will be a veteran to fill the remaining vacancy on their bench, likely a utility player. The Nationals have been in touch with Continue reading →

The Nationals finalized a two-year deal with an option for a third year with slick-fielding Adam LaRoche, who last season hit 25 home runs and drove in 100 runs for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The deal is contingent upon Continue reading →

The Nationals continue to search for a first baseman. According to a baseball source, they have offered Adam LaRoche a two-year deal. Terms of the offer were not disclosed. The source said getting a deal done “has been a slow process.” Published reports indicated that LaRoche would like a three-year deal, but Washington is not willing to go to a third year. If they are unable to sign LaRoche, the Nationals will consider Casey Kotchman, an above-average defensive player who is limited with the bat. — Nationals.com

Barring setbacks, Stephen Strasburg could begin a minor league rehab assignment by summer 2011 and could rejoin the Nationals by the end of the season. However, a more conservative track could put him back on a big league mound for the start of the 2012 season. — Washington Post

The Nationals made a pair of moves Monday to address their depth, signing veteran outfielder Rick Ankiel and re-signing right-handed reliever Ryan Mattheus to one-year guaranteed contracts. Ankiel, best-known as the former St. Louis Cardinals pitching phenom whose mound career imploded amid an acute wildness problem, agreed to a $1.5 million salary, with another $1.25 million in incentives. The signing is contingent upon Ankiel’s passing a physical exam. — Washington Post

The Nationals had a deal in place to acquire right-hander Zack Greinke, a baseball source confirmed to MLB.com. Greinke, however, used his no-trade clause to reject the deal. Instead, the Royals traded Greinke to the Brewers for prospects, a deal Greinke was willing to accept. The trade was announced early Sunday afternoon. No reason was given as to why Greinke turned down the deal with Washington, but he made it clear this past season that he would like to play for a team that wins on a consistent basis. The Nationals have yet to finish with a record over .500 since relocating to Washington. — MLB.com