Nationals expect Gonzalez to arrive on Friday

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez, who signed a Minor League deal on Tuesday, is expected to join the Nationals on Friday in Viera, Fla.

"He's due today to report tomorrow," manager Matt Williams said before Thursday night's Grapefruit League game against the Braves at Champion Stadium.

Gonzalez, 35, will compete for a spot in the bullpen. He has been throwing on his own this spring, and the Nationals aim to evaluate his progress in a bullpen session on Friday.

"He said he's ready to go," Williams said. "He's been throwing. He's throwing bullpen [sessions], things like that. I can't imagine he's faced any live hitters lately, so that may be part of the process. We'll check with him when he gets here and see where he's at."