Manager Dusty Baker said this was a good opportunity for Ross to piggyback Roark, which is common to do early in spring training. But both pitchers’ usage is worth watching because they would have to be stretched out if they are going to make the opening day rotation.

>> Baker plans to ease his regulars, especially the established veteran players such as Ryan Zimmerman, into spring training action gradually.

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“I know how to get guys ready,” Baker said. “I’ve been where they’ve been injury-wise, as a rookie, veteran, older player. That’s my job: to coach them up.”

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Zimmerman missed 39 games last season because of plantar fasciitis. When he returned from the disabled list, he played some of the best baseball of his career because he and the training staff had found a way to manage the ailment. The Nationals want to avoid any issues early in spring training so Zimmerman didn’t do running outside until Tuesday, which he did alongside new executive director of medical services Harvey Sharman, a physiotherapist, while the rest of the team did sliding drills. Zimmerman used a special treadmill in the offseason that limited the amount of weight he put on his lower body.

“I’m impressed he was running as much as he was,” Baker said. “Hitting, fielding his position. We’ve got a month. Our goal is to have him ready for opening day with no setbacks. … His goal and our goal is get him ready by opening day, and without having to rush him in this period of time to get him ready.”

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Other big name players such as Anthony Rendon and Bryce Harper are expected to get a few at-bats in Thursday’s home game. Baker also said Jayson Werth will be eased into the spring schedule, not likely to play in a game until this weekend.

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“I didn’t know Jayson was 36,” said Baker, who added Werth came to his office to chat about playing at an older age. “He doesn’t look like it at all.”

Baker said he is leery of this time of the spring, when players have been working out in camp daily for two weeks but aren’t yet in midseason form.

“This is a very very volatile time for hamstrings, shoulders,” Baker said. “Guys early in the spring – I don’t care how you practice – you never really go full out like you do in the games, except for the guys trying to make the team. I urged my guys to go hard but not do anything crazy and build up to where you can go 100 percent.”

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>> Pitchers played a lively game of hitting and fielding that tested their conditioning Tuesday. The pitchers were split into teams and played quick nine-inning games on a half-field, which has only an infield. A pitcher swung at a tennis ball tossed underhand by a coach. If the ball went over a fence, it counted as three outs. If the ball hit the fence, it counted as a home run. If it landed without being caught or fielded cleanly, it counted as a single.