From Brian in Alexandria:
Manny Acta mentioned last night that no decision had been made regarding the next step for Shawn Hill. Have you heard anything so far today about whether or not the Nationals are going to activate Hill for Sunday's game in Atlanta or give him one more rehab start in the minor leagues?
Mark Zuckerman:
No new info yet to report today, but I suspect we'll be hearing something later this afternoon. My hunch -- and I stress that this is only a hunch -- is that Hill will make another rehab start. Not that his performance last night (5 scoreless innings at Potomac) wasn't solid. I just think the Nats prefer to be cautious with these kind of things. It also gives them another week to evaluate Matt Chico and John Lannan and decide which young lefty is going to be sent to Columbus to make room for Hill.

From Eric in Northern VA:
I just read there will be parking sold for single games now. Are all of the lots adequate for tailgating? Something small, just a few chairs and a grill. Thanks!
Mark Zuckerman:
My understanding is that tailgating is allowed in all the lots around Nationals Park. However, anything you bring has to fit within the confines of your parking space. You can't spread out a grill, blanket and lawn chairs over two spaces and deny someone else the ability to park next to you.

From Edward Charles in Woodhaven:
In your article relating to the starting rotation, you mention the "other option" is sending Lannan back down to Columbus.... Why would you send Lannan down when in his last 3 outings his ERA is under 2.00, while giving up only 13 hits in 18 2/3 innings? What message does this send to the other young arms in the organization? Aren't there other pitchers in the rotation with options?
Mark Zuckerman:
It's a valid argument, and believe me, the Nats are going to struggle with this decision. The problem is that only three members of the current rotation have minor-league options: Lannan, Chico and Bergmann. Odalis Perez and Tim Redding do not. So one of those three has to be sent down. Bergmann pitched well this spring and so far this season. Chico's numbers aren't as good, but both Manny Acta and Randy St. Claire insist they've been happy with him. I still think it's possible Chico gets sent to Columbus to work on things and Lannan stays, but there's no obvious choice here.

From Caroll Melton:
Dmitri Young: What are his prospects with the Nats?
Mark Zuckerman:
Well, he's signed for the next two years at $5 million a year, so I don't think he's going anywhere else. Before anything, though, Dmitri has got to get himself into shape and get his diabetes under control. These two things go hand-in-hand. Once he's gotten his physical well-being together, then he can start worrying about baseball. But boy, the way Nick Johnson is playing and the way Young looks, that decision to re-sign him last summer is looking mighty suspect right now, isn't it?

From Kristin in Fairfax:
It sounds like you were a bit concerned about the attendance the other night. Do you think weather played a part it in, or is it too soon to tell?
Mark Zuckerman:
I think several factors played a role in the crowd the other night being just over 20,000. Weather wasn't good. Monday nights are typically the lowest-drawing night of the week. The Marlins are perhaps the worst draw in baseball (find me someone, anyone who says they're going to tonight's game strictly because they want to see the Marlins). And the NCAA championship was going on at the same time. I think we need to let this whole homestand play out before we start making any judgments. And really, we can't say anything for sure until we get to June and July when the weather's nice and school is out and attendance typically picks up.

From Billy T. in Silver Spring:
How bad does the procrastination of DL'ing Cordero and Young seem in retrospect? It's like the Nats have been playing with a 23-man roster since opening day limiting the in-game moves Manny can make and putting the team at a competitive disadvantage.
Mark Zuckerman:
I think there's something to be said for that in the case of Dmitri Young. Once he was sent home from St. Louis on Friday, the Nats probably should have realized he wasn't going to get better soon enough and DL'd him so Acta would have another bat off his bench. I don't think the Cordero case was really an issue, though, because the Nats still had a full, seven-man bullpen. They only had four starting pitchers until Sunday when John Lannan was called up and took Cordero's roster spot.

From James in Mount Vernon:
What is the latest status on Wily Mo Pena? Elijah Dukes? How soon should we expect either one to be back? If it is a week or more, have there been any discussions on whether the Nationals will consider another bat for the bench from the minor leagues?
Mark Zuckerman:
The Weapon of Mass Production appears to be close to returning from the DL. He played three innings at extended spring training yesterday and should start a rehab assignment at Columbus within a few more days. I think we'll see him activated sometime next week while the Nats are on the road. Dukes' return is much farther off. Looks like he's going to miss 4-6 weeks minimum with a serious hamstring injury. The Nats definitely won't rush him back. If Pena was going to be out longer, I think you might see the Nats consider promoting Justin Maxwell from Harrisburg to play left field. But since we're only talking about another week, I believe you'll keep seeing Lopez, Harris and Mackowiak out there for now.

From Donald Sanger in Falls Church:
I've noticed the press box at Nationals Park is way up at the top of the upper deck? How's the view up there, and is that higher than most major-league stadiums?
Mark Zuckerman:
The press box is indeed above the upper deck behind home plate. It's probably the highest of any big-league park, maybe tied with Pittsburgh's PNC Park (which has a similar location). But you won't hear any complaints from me. The lower levels are prime real estate for suites and club levels, and that's how teams make their money. I'm not naive to that. As long as we're relatively behind the plate (we are) and have ample and comfortable work space (we do), they can put us up with the airplanes.

From Sam in Springfield, Va.:
Do you think the "negative" tone of the messages about travel to the ball park had an impact on attendance? (don't drive, no parking, metro issues etc.)
Mark Zuckerman:
I do, and I meant to mention that in my response to the earlier question about attendance. There's been so much talk about the hassle of getting to the park, I believe it may have turned some casual fans off from coming to games. That said, I haven't heard any complaints from anyone who has either parked near the stadium, taken Metro or parked at RFK and taken the shuttle so far. What's the consensus out there? Was all the preseason panic overblown?

From Sam in Springfield, Va.:
We have pre-paid parking passes and have driven to every game. It couldn't be easier. The Nats website's directions on getting to our specific lot are great and we are only 500 yards from getting onto 395 South - even easier than getting to RFK. Traffic has been normal. How do you get to the Park and what time to you go?
Mark Zuckerman:
Wow, instant response! It's like we're holding a one-on-one conversation here! Good to hear your parking experience has been positive. I park in the small media lot they've created catty-corner from the home plate entrance (on Potomac Ave., west of South Capitol St.). Because I usually get to the park around 3 p.m. for a 7 p.m. game and don't leave til after midnight, I don't really have any traffic issues. That's why I'm interested to hear what it's been like for fans.

OK, looks like we're out of time for today. Thanks for all the questions, and please continue to let me know how your personal parking/gameday experiences have gone so far. Be sure to tune in next Wednesday for another live chat, this time from New York. Same bat time, same bat channel. Until then...