Harper has Nationals' manager on his side

Outfielder Bryce Harper (pictured) feels good about his chances of making the Washington Nationals' opening-day roster. Perhaps even more importantly, he has the backing of Nationals manager Davey Johnson.

Johnson told MLB.com on Tuesday that he believes the 19-year-old Harper can be the Nationals' starting right fielder on opening day if the team chooses to move Jayson Werth to center field.

"I really feel I have a legit shot at making the club," Harper told MLB.com. "To have Davey on my side, that's a very big plus going in there."

The final decision may still come from Nationals GM Mike Rizzo. If he chooses to keep Harper in the minors to start the season, Roger Bernadina would most likely start at center. Bernadina had seven homers and 27 RBIs in 91 games last season. 

Harper, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2010, put up solid numbers in the minors last season. He hit a combined .297 with 17 homers and 58 RBIs in 109 games for Class A Hagerstown and Double-A Harrisburg. Then in the Arizona Fall League, he hit .333 with six homers and a .400 on-base percentage in 93 at-bats.

Fantasy players have to keep Harper in mind during their drafts and monitor his status in spring training.

A couple other notes:

* Pitchers and catchers for most teams will report to spring training next weekend. But for Oakland and Seattle, pitchers and catchers will report on Sunday. The A's and Mariners get to start early because they'll spend close to a week in Japan to play two exhibition games and then open the regular season with a two-game set at the Tokyo Dome.

* The Texas Rangers and shortstop Elvis Andrus avoided arbitration, agreeing to a three-year contract, according to FOXSports.com. Andrus hit .279 with five homers, 60 RBIs, 96 runs and 37 stolen bases last season. He was fifth in the AL in steals.

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