Roger Bernadina is jacked

By Adam Kilgore

Roger Bernadina arrived today, and he is probably the leader in clubhouse for Best Shape of His Lifeiest player here. He looked more like a strong safety than a left fielder. Bernadina took some batting practice with coaches the other Nationals players who have gotten in early, and many of them joked with him about how much muscle he's put on.

Bernadina spent most of his offseason in the Netherlands, where he spent much of his youth and where he now lives. He worked out with a trainer who he's known for a few years, sometimes lifting weights twice a day. He said he ended last year at 192 pounds, and he packed on more than 10 pounds.

Bernadina, who will compete with Rick Ankiel and Michael Morse for the starting left field spot this spring, said his offseason training was motivated by the end of his 2010 season. He wore down physically and mentally, he said, and it showed in his performance. He went 15 for 97 with three extra-base hits and 11 walks from Aug. 31 on. After his rookie season, Bernadina feels like he'll be more prepared to handle the rigors of a full year in the majors.

"In August, I was fine," Bernadina said. "In September, I ran out of gas a little bit. It's that mental grind. For next time, I'll know it. It is definitely a long season. But it's no excuse. What happened, I can only learn from it."

Photo by Jonathan Newton.