Southpaw Detwiler adds cutter to arsenal

VIERA, Fla. -- Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler has added a cutter to his arsenal, because he doesn't want hitters to sit on his fastball like they did last year.

In 2013, the Nationals felt that Detwiler relied too much on his fastball. According to Fangraphs.com, in fact, Detwiler threw a fastball 88 percent of the time. He is also known to throw a curveball and changeup.

"Opposing hitters have had the same look. They kind of know what to expect," Detwiler said. "I'm just trying to throw something else out there. Just another look. Open up everything else if I want to go back to the fastball or whatever."

Detwiler is competing with Tanner Roark and Taylor Jordan for the fifth slot in the rotation. He missed most of the 2013 season because of back issues, but he was healthy enough to go to the instructional league toward the end of the season. If he does not win a starter spot, the Nationals are considering putting him in the bullpen.