More notes from camp

The picture is not a scene from Wild Things spring training, though it's not a stretch. The intrasquad game was stopped twice Monday because of weather - early in the game by rain (again) and late by lightning.

There are still 20 pitchers in camp - Jace Smith will arrive Friday to make 21 - and I've seen all 20 throw at least one inning except closer Jon Lewis, who left after two batters today because of a blister on a finger (insert here the "I got blisters on my fingers" yell from The Beatles' "Helter Skelter").

Manager Mark Mason said he started with 12 pitchers vying for five rotation spots. He's now down to eight starting pitchers. Mason didn't say who the eight are, but here's a guess that some are Craig Snipp, Jason Neitz, Rick Austin, Eric Evans, Nick Peterson, Justin Edwards and Sean Heimpel. I don't know if Smith is included in the eight. Kendrick Martin might be another potential starter.

- The best defensive play in the intrasquad game was made by first baseman Aaron Janusey, who made a diving catch on a line drive to rob Ernie Banks of a double down the right-field line.

- Catcher Steve Pickerell (death in family) has not reported to camp but Washington seems solid - at least defensively - at catcher. Kris Rochelle has looked good in camp and lefty-hitting Alan Robbins is another catcher with a strong arm.

- While Washington will have some interesting roster decisions to make, especially with the pitching staff, the Frontier League team with even tougher decisions is Rockford. The Riverhawks have four veterans and three L2 players (including former Wild Things third baseman Robbie Knapp) on their roster. The Frontier league limit is three Vets and two L2s.

- Windy City placed Billy Petrick, who pitched in eight games for the Chicago Cubs in 2007, on the 14-day disabled list.