WASHINGTON -- The Nationals offered a welcome reprieve as a winter storm hit the nation's capital Thursday, announcing their reporting dates for Spring Training.
Washington's pitchers and catchers will report to West Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 14, before the full squad reports Feb. 19. The Nats will hold their first full-squad workout Feb. 21.
• Nationals' Spring Training schedule | Info
It will leave a quick turnaround before the Nationals begin Grapefruit League play. Washington has its first Spring Training game Feb. 23 against the defending World Series champion Astros at the team's shared facility at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. That will likely mean the Nats will start incorporating most of their regulars, especially veteran position players, slowly into Grapefruit League games.
Spring Training will be an important one for Washington as its new coaching staff gets acclimated. It will be a time for first-year manager Dave Martinez to develop relationships with the clubhouse and coaching staff, but also a time to test out some of the lineup constructions and pitching matchups he has dreamed up during the offseason.