Matt Chico entered the spring in competition for a spot in the Nationals' rotation, but even he knew that he was, at best, a dark horse. He had not pitched in the majors since the middle of 2008, when he was throwing 80-mph fastball and he learned he would need Tommy John surgery to continue his career.

Both Chico and the Nationals were happy with his spring training - he proved himself healthy and, for the first time in years, able to throw with competitive velocity. But the team still wants Chico to fine-tune his delivery and pitches, so Chico today was optioned to Class AAA Syracuse.

"All of us want to make the 25-man roster," Chico said. "I feel like I had probably the longest shot of anyone in here. The only thing I could to do, that I wanted do, was come in and show that I'm healthy, show that I can throw some pitches a little better than I was before. I feel like I did that."