Here's a surprising little development on an otherwise unspectacular Saturday morning: Bret Boone has been promoted to major-league camp, just five days after signing a minor-league contract.

Evidently, the soon-to-be 39-year-old second baseman, who had been in retirement since February 2006, is in shape and looked good enough to convince GM Jim Bowden he deserves to be among the big leaguers.

"He saw what he needed to see," said Boone, who was supposed to participate only in the minor-league, accelerated development camp while working his way back.

Whether this development means Boone is actually going to be in the running for the starting second baseman's job remains to be seen. Personally, I doubt he's a serious contender. The Nats are perfectly content to go with either Ronnie Belliard or Felipe Lopez as the starter, and Boone gives them nothing coming off the bench (especially when he says he's not interested in playing any other positions). I think this has more to do with Bowden wanting to let Boone play in some big-league games, where he'll get more exposure, thus increasingly the likelihood some other team would want to acquire him.

Meanwhile, Odalis Perez arrived at camp today and made it clear he wants to win a spot in the Nats' Opening Day rotation. The veteran lefty had offers from Washington and Boston, but decided to go with the Nats because of the opportunity they presented to him. "I understand Boston is a winning team, but at some time I just wanted an opportunity to be in the big leagues," he said. "I don't even think about the money. I just want to be in the big leagues."

Perez said he had been working out back home in the Dominican Republic for 2 1/2 months, so he comes to camp in shape and ready to go. "I want to show people I've still got a lot to give."

Photo Day -- when all the news outlets and baseball card companies take their stock pictures of everyone -- just wrapped up, so players will be taking the fields soon for another workout. More to come later...