"The Nationals' pursuit of a center fielder took General Manager Mike Rizzo to the Dominican Republic yesterday, when he watched and evaluated one of the most high-profile, talented and priciest Cuban players in recent memory.

The Nationals staged a private workout for Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes at their Dominican academy in Boca Chica, a person with knowledge of the workout said. Both Rizzo and Nationals international scouting director Johnny DiPuglia attended, the person said. "