WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. -- Jeremy Guthrie had his finest audition for a spot in the Nationals' bullpen as a long reliever in the Nationals' 3-1 loss to the Cardinals on Friday afternoon. He held St. Louis hitless for 4 1/3 innings with two strikeouts and two walks.
Guthrie is one of the pitchers the Nationals are considering for their long reliever in the bullpen, and even though there are fewer than two weeks until Opening Day, a performance such as Friday's can still impress manager Dusty Baker.
"It certainly doesn't hurt," Baker said.