Tuesday is Jackie Robinson Day across the majors, and in keeping with a tradition that was started last season, players who choose to will be allowed to wear Robinson's uniform No. 42 (which has been retired across baseball). Last season, Dmitri Young wore the number and admitted he was truly humbled to do so.
This year, the Nats have decided to have all uniformed personnel wear No. 42 for Tuesday's game at Shea Stadium. That's a bit surprising, considering the franchise has no real connection to Robinson. I may be mistaken, but I believe only the Dodgers had their entire team wear No. 42 last season. It's a nice gesture, obviously, but I'm wondering if it's a bit overdone. Do you think it's more meaningful if only one player wears 42? Or do you even think anyone should be allowed to wear it at all anymore?
In other news, Wily Mo Pena went 1-for-4 with a walk today in extended spring training and played seven innings in left field. He'll report to Class AAA Columbus tomorrow to continue his rehab assignment there. As Jim Bowden said yesterday, we could see Pena back in the Nats' lineup late next week.
Also, you may have heard last night that Columbus outfielder Kory Casto (who spent some time in D.C. last season) broke the hamate bone in his right hand. He'll have surgery tomorrow here in the District at Sibley Memorial Hospital and will be out at least six weeks. You know, a year ago, Casto was considered the top hitting prospect in the Nats' farm system. Now, he's fallen completely off the radar. Too bad, because he's a nice guy. But I think at this point you have to wonder whether we'll ever see him in the big leagues again.
The Braves are back in town, only 12 days after coming here for Opening Night. The same man who pitched brilliantly that night, Tim Hudson, returns to the mound to face Matt Chico. The good news: Once they get past Hudson, the Nats only have to face John Smoltz and Tom Glavine the rest of the weekend. Just what a team on a seven-game losing streak needs.
Here's tonight's lineups:
NATS
SS Cristian Guzman
CF Lastings Milledge
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Nick Johnson
RF Austin Kearns
2B Ronnie Belliard
C Jesus Flores
LF Willie Harris (for what it's worth, the Nats are 0-6 when Felipe Lopez starts in LF)
P Matt Chico
BRAVES
2B Kelly Johnson
SS Ynuel Escobar
3B Chipper Jones
1B Mark Teixeira
RF Jeff Francoeur
C Brian McCann
LF Matt Diaz
CF Mark Kotsay
P Tim Hudson
