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VIERA, Fla. - The word of the day Friday at the Washington Nationals' training facility was progress while they made final preparations for their first game action of the spring.

WASHINGTON - The Justice Department joined a lawsuit Friday against disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong that alleges the former seven-time Tour de France champion concealed his use of performance-enhancing drugs and defrauded his longtime sponsor, the

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The first game of spring training can provide some unusual scenarios. Such as Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera facing Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel — in the third inning.

FORT MYERS, Fla. - When Josh Willingham signed a three-year contract with Minnesota before last season, he barely gave a second thought to his new home ballpark.

TORONTO - Acquiring Sebastian Telfair at the NBA trade deadline was merely adding an insurance policy at the point guard position for the Toronto Raptors.

BRADENTON, Fla. - Pittsburgh Pirates clubhouse manager Scott Bonnett gave Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon adjoining lockers at the team's training complex this spring, a symbolic gesture to what the flame-throwing youngsters represent.

SURPRISE, Ariz. - Nolan Ryan laughs when he hears people describe the Texas Rangers off-season as a disaster and the worst in team history.

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Lindy Ruff is finding it difficult being a spectator after his 16-year run as Buffalo Sabres head coach came to an abrupt end this week. "Ah, god, I miss it already," Ruff said Friday.

DUNEDIN, Fla. - It's time to play ball, and not a moment too soon. Live batting practice, retrieving balls fired out of a machine and fielding drills can only keep your attention for so long.

DUNEDIN, Fla. - The music player by Jose Bautista's locker pumps out beats as the muscular Dominican slugger grooves in his chair, an arm reaching up in the air in time with the song.