Jesse English has never pitched above Class AA. Last year at this time, he had already been sent to the San Francisco Giants' minor league side of camp; he lasted two weeks with the major league camp as little more than a spare body. Despite his nondescript history, English all of a sudden has a chance to pitch for the Nationals in his first year with them.

"He's putting himself in the mix to make the team," Manager Riggleman said.

English today registered his second save of the spring after entering a situation engineered for him. Riggleman brought him into the game in the ninth inning with one out and a man on second. He allowed a bloop single, then retired the final two batters of the game. English struck out Hector Luna and induced a high chopper from Emilio Bonifacio, which he handled himself.