Nationals’ Harper starts spring opener in right, finishes 1-for-3

The 19-year-old Harper, the top pick in the 2010 draft, singled sharply off Livan Hernandez on Saturday in the second inning of the Washington Nationals’ 3-1 loss to Houston in Kissimmee, Fla.

“It’s nice being able to start and see different guys and different arms and pitching and things like that,” said Harper, a candidate for Washington’s right-field job. “Knowing that I’m going to get three at-bats a game is pretty nice. I’m just trying to go up there and not do too much, and trying to get my strikeouts down and my walks up.”

Hernandez, 37, who was with the Nationals the last two seasons, is expected to be in the Astros’ rotation and wants to pitch at least three more years.

“I want to be the Jamie Moyer of right-handers,” he said.

Harper went 1-for-3, grounding out twice. His first time up against Hernandez, baseball’s active leader in games started (474) and innings pitched (3,121 2/3), provided the kind of learning opportunity that interests the hard-swinging rookie this spring.

“I’m trying to get in work in deep counts — 0-2 or 2-2, 1-2, things like that,” Harper said. “I want to be in those battle counts, just be in that situation and not do too much, drive the ball to the left side and just try to hit off-speed pitches and react to the fastball. If I can see a lot of off-speed and get used to that, it’s huge for me.”

Harper, who hit .297 with 17 home runs in 109 games in Class A and AA, figures to get a long look this spring, but said it’s too early to think about making the team.

“If I play my game and do things right, I’ve got a shot,” he said. “I’m not going to try to do too much and just roll with what I get.”

■ PADRES – Outfielder Cameron Maybin and San Diego agreed to a $25 million, five-year contract.

Maybin, 24, was acquired in November 2010 from the Marlins. He was selected the team’s most valuable player last season after he hit .264 with nine homers and 40 RBIs and stole 40 bases in a career-high 137 games.

The deal includes a team option for 2017. Maybin said it doesn’t include a no-trade clause.

Maybin’s deal marks the first time the Padres have signed one of their own players to a long-term contract since December 2007, when they locked up Jake Peavy. The Padres also signed Adrian Gonzalez and Chris Young to team-friendly deals during the 2007 season.

■ BREWERS – Milwaukee renewed the contract of closer John Axford, who set a team record with 46 saves last season and converted his final 43 chances. He was 2-2 with a 1.95 ERA in 74 appearances to help the Brewers win the National League Central.

Axford, 29, struck out 86 in 73 2/3 innings.

■ METS — Third baseman David Wright was scratched from an intrasquad game because of soreness around his rib cage, and outfielder Scott Hairston injured his left side and could be out for a week or more.

Wright said he understood the decision to sit out, noting “if it was a real game, obviously I would be playing. But they wanted to try to take it slow, especially this early in the spring.”

Hairston re-injured his left oblique muscle swinging in the first inning of the intrasquad game. Hairston originally strained his left oblique against Philadelphia on Aug. 23 and finished last season on the disabled list.

Hairston, who was expected to be Andres Torres’ backup in center field, said he will get a cortisone shot Monday to “help speed up the process.”

■ ATHLETICS — Oakland and Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes finalized their $36 million, four-year deal.

Cespedes, 26, will be placed on the 40-man roster after the A’s moved third baseman Scott Sizemore to the 60-day disabled list with a tear in his left knee that will sideline him for the season.