Several little bits of info to pass on already this fine morning...

-- Tim Redding, who came out of yesterday's game with back spasms, will see a doctor later today but the Nats aren't concerned at this point that the injury is serious and Redding remains committed to not missing any time.

-- It didn't make the blog last night because the news came down late, but Wil Nieves was reassigned to minor-league camp, which means that Jesus Flores will make the Opening Day roster as the No. 2 catcher. The club, however, does not expect Flores to remain there for long, because Johnny Estrada should be ready to return from his elbow injury within a couple weeks. Estrada went through some throwing drills this morning, firing from a crouch to second base and looked strong.

-- Shawn Hill throws two innings in a minor-league game this afternoon, his first game-like outing this spring. I'll head over there to watch it and report back to you on how he looks.

-- It appears John Patterson will sign a minor-league deal with the Texas Rangers and report to Class AAA Oklahoma City. If that indeed is formalized, that could be a good situation for Patterson. He's from Texas, and the Rangers' rotation is loaded with question marks, so you've got to think there would be an opportunity for him to crack the big-league rotation if he pitches well.

Today's lineup against the Tigers:
SS Cristian Guzman
CF Lastings Milledge
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Dmitri Young
RF Austin Kearns
C Paul Lo Duca
DH Elijah Dukes
2B Felipe Lopez
LF Willie Harris
P Jason Bergmann