Patterson is Nats' No. 1 starter and only starter

[JoseA]

VIERA, Fla. (AP) -- John Patterson gives whole new meaning to the term "No. 1 starter."

He is, after all, the one pitcher guaranteed a spot in the Washington Nationals' rotation as spring training begins. Now the lanky right-hander is setting out to show he's the guy who appeared to have a breakout 2005 and not the guy who lost most of 2006 to a right forearm injury.

"This is an opportunity that everybody looks for, whether it's a team that only has one starter or not. It's still the opportunity to pitch on opening day and be the head of a staff," Patterson said, sitting at a picnic table outside the Nationals' minor league complex. "I have the ability to do it. If I stay healthy, there's no question in my mind."

Patterson is Nats' No. 1 starter -- and, right now, only starter - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

Hopefully others emerge in ST, but the major thing is we should have went after some of the pitchers in free agency. Patterson is our opening day starter!