Snelling trying to avoid injury bug

VIERA, Fla. -- Outfielder Chris Snelling has been injury-prone all of his life. As a 2-year-old, his right big toe was smashed after his brother slammed the door on it. Minor surgery had to be performed.

Snelling once broke his arm after diving into an empty swimming pool trying to retrieve a basketball. While playing "putt-putt golf," Snelling's friend once tried to knock his hat from his head with the club. Instead, the friend busted Snelling's head wide open.

After signing with the Mariners in 1999, Snelling continued his bad luck with the injury bug during his eight years in professional baseball. He has had 10 surgeries, including seven on his left knee. He originally hurt the knee in 2002, tearing his ACL while trying to stop at third base.

Asked if he was snake bit, Snelling said, "For whatever reasons, it happened. I can't explain it. I've tried to explain it for the last six years."

Snelling is one of four players -- Kory Casto, Ryan Church and Alex Escobar are the others -- vying for the Nationals' starting left-field job, but he said he is not worried about who he's competing against.

"I don't think of it as competing," Snelling said. "I think it's everybody wearing the same uniform and going for one goal, and that's it. We don't make those decisions. If we did, it wouldn't be fun. That's why you have other people making those decisions for you."

Behind the plate: Jesus Flores was playing in the Venezuelan Winter League when he found out he was selected by Nationals in the Rule 5 Draft. Washington is set to make him the backup catcher even though he hasn't played above Class A. Manager Manny Acta said Flores is more advanced as a catcher than a hitter.

"I have confidence in myself," Flores said. "I know the manager and I know a few people here. My goal is to try to know all the pitchers. I need to have communication with them. I want to work on my skills like blocking and throwing. I know I'm going to be good in that part of the game."

Flores, 22, batted .266 with 21 home runs and 70 RBIs in 120 games with Class A Advanced St. Lucie last season.