The Nats tied St. Louis (AP/Florida Today) in extra innings yesterday. P Jason Simontacchi gave up two runs over five innings of work for Washington. He has not yet secured a spot in the rotation, but The Wash. Times says he has “all but made the club.” Nationals Journal expects him in the rotation.

In other pitching news, Luis Ayala will likely start the season on the DL (The Wash. Times). It has been almost a year since he had Tommy John surgery and he is just not ready for the rigors of the big leagues yet. The Post adds more and also mentions that “closer Chad Cordero and setup men Jon Rauch and Ryan Wagner” are the only sure things for the bullpen.

SS Cristian Guzman may be upbeat, but in the end he is still Cristian Guzman, the vortex in the lineup (The Post).

There are only 18 days left to figure out who will make up the Nationals bench (The Wash. Times). Manager Manny Acta is still planning on carrying 12 pitchers too. With IF/OF/C/BB Robert Fick, C Jesus Flores, IF Ronnie Belliard and OF Chris Snelling expected to head north with the team there is only one spot left.