Worth noting

By Tom Schad and Andrew Simon

April 1, 2013

• Rizzo said the team has reached out to right-hander Chris Young but a deal has not been reached. Young was released by the team last Tuesday.

"Our assistant GM has been in contact with his representatives and I think the decision is in Chris' hands," Rizzo said. "But I haven't spoken to him today at all."

•Rizzo and Desmond both said the team is not concerned about playing with high expectations this season. Washington has been picked by Sports Illustrated, ESPN Magazine and several local and national writers to win the World Series.

"On paper is one thing, in Spring Training is another thing, but the grind of 162 games is what this thing's all about," Rizzo said.

Added Desmond: "All that stuff, what does it weigh? It's just words from people that aren't playing."

Tom Schad is an associate reporter for MLB.com. Andrew Simon is a contributor to MLB.com.