Johnson, Belliard get Nationals' opening-day starting jobs

WASHINGTON - First baseman Nick Johnson and second baseman Ronnie Belliard were picked by manager Manny Acta to start for the Washington Nationals.

Johnson had been competing with Dmitri Young during spring training for the first base job. Johnson missed the 2007 season with a broken leg.

Belliard was in competition with Felipe Lopez.

Johnson and Belliard will be in the lineup for Washington's first regular-season game, Sunday night against the Atlanta Braves at the new Nationals Park.
Acta said Johnson is ``back to where he was two years ago.''

The Nationals also agreed to a minor league contract with infielder Olmedo Saenz.