What today's start means for Scott Olsen

When the Nationals decided Wednesday to keep Scott Olsen in their oganization, it came as little relief to the left-hander. He had other concerns.

"All I've been worrying about is making the team," Olsen said yesterday. "I wasn't worried about making the Triple A team. I'm worried about making the big league team. Unless it was the kind of news then it wasn't really relevant. I'm still in the mix. That's all you can ask for. I want to make the decision harder for them."

Olsen will have his chance today against the Red Sox, who are starting the game with their full lineup. The competition for the fifth starter spot to begin the season is down to him and Garrett Mock, making today his final chance to leave an impression.

"It's important," Olsen said. "It's the biggest start of spring training."

After coming off the shoulder surgery that cut short his 2009 season, Olsen has progressed each start. It wasn't almost smooth; two starts ago, he allowed 12 hits in 4 1/3 innings against the Detroit Tigers. Olsen said he's going to take his typical approach to the mound, which may be the most important thing he could do.

"You can't put more pressure on yourself than you're capable of handling," pitching coach Steve McCatty said. "If you do the best you can in that moment, and a decision is made that's not in your favor, that's the way it is. You got to keep going. You can't feel sorry for yourself. But, I'm sure he's probably putting some pressure on himself. You put pressure on yourself every time you start, and I'm sure he feels this is even more important. You deal with that on as you go."