Spring training schedule released

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Space Coast Stadium could host its final Nats spring training in 2013.

The Nationals have announced the exhibition schedule for what likely will be their final spring training in Viera, a 32-game slate that underscores why the franchise hopes to relocate to Florida's Gulf Coast in 2014.

Washington will open the Grapefruit League on Feb. 23 in Port St. Lucie, the first of six spring encounters with the Mets (who train about an hour south of Viera). The Nationals also face the Astros (who train 50 minutes west in Kissimmee) six times. They'll face the Braves (who are an hour west in Lake Buena Vista), Cardinals and Marlins (who train nearly two hours to the south in Jupiter) five times a piece, while facing the Tigers (who are nearly two hours away in Lakeland) four times.

The Nationals also must make a six-hour round trip to Clearwater on March 6 for a single exhibition game against the Phillies.

All told, the Nationals will spend more time on Florida's highways than any other club in the Grapefruit League, the primary reason ownership hopes to relocate to the Gulf Coast in 2014.

The Nationals have been in negotiations with government officials from Fort Myers, seeking funding to renovate the City of Palms complex that was vacated by the Red Sox last year. If they're able to strike a deal and move in 2014, the Nationals would train in a town that also hosts the Red Sox and Twins and is also located a short drive from three other camps on the west coast: the Rays, Orioles and Pirates.

Here is the full exhibition schedule for this spring. Reporting dates for pitchers and catchers and then position players has not been finalized yet, but they will come earlier than usual because the World Baseball Classic will be held in March...

NATIONALS 2013 GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE SCHEDULE
Game times TBA
Feb. 23 at Mets in Port St. Lucie
Feb. 24 vs Marlins in Viera
Feb. 25 at Mets in Port St. Lucie
Feb. 26 at Braves in Lake Buena Vista
Feb. 27 vs Marlins in Viera
Feb. 28 vs Mets in Viera
Mar. 1 at Braves in Lake Buena Vista
Mar. 2 at Cardinals in Jupiter
Mar. 3 vs Cardinals in Viera
Mar. 4 OFF
Mar. 5 vs Astros in Viera
Mar. 6 at Phillies in Clearwater
Mar. 7 at Astros in Kissimmee
Mar. 8 vs Cardinals in Viera
Mar. 9 vs Marlins (ss) in Viera
Mar. 10 at Tigers in Lakeland
Mar. 11 vs Braves in Viera
Mar. 12 OFF
Mar. 13 (ss) vs Mets in Viera, (ss) at Astros in Kissimmee
Mar. 14 vs Astros in Viera
Mar. 15 at Cardinals in Jupiter
Mar. 16 vs Astros in Viera
Mar. 17 at Tigers in Lakeland
Mar. 18 vs Tigers in Viera
Mar. 19 OFF
Mar. 20 at Marlins in Jupiter
Mar. 21 at Braves in Lake Buena Vista
Mar. 22 vs Tigers in Viera
Mar. 23 at Mets in Port St. Lucie
Mar. 24 vs Braves in Viera
Mar. 25 at Astros in Kissimmee
Mar. 26 at Marlins in Jupiter
Mar. 27 at Cardinals in Jupiter
Mar. 28 vs Mets in Viera