Nationals (92-60) vs. Brewers (79-73)
Game » 153
Starters » Jordan Zimmermann (11-8, 2.96 ERA) vs. Marco Estrada (3-6, 3.56 ERA)
When » Monday, 1:05 p.m.
Where » Nationals Park, Washington
TV » MASN HD
Radio » 106.7 The Fan FM, WFED 1500, WHFS 1580
Plenty of pregame news from Davey Johnson’s morning press conference in anticipation of the matinee between the Nationals and Brewers on Monday.
Slugger Michael Morse is out of the lineup with a hand injury. He’s been playing with a torn sheath in his left wrist and a bone bruise. Morse received treatment on his hand after Sunday’s 6-2 loss to Milwaukee. Morse and team doctors are also investigating whether a shot of medicine might help. But Johnson, who wasn’t sure which hand was affected, said any decision about further rest this week will have to wait. For now, Morse is out today only. He spoke only briefly to reporters as he strolled through the clubhouse before the game and said he was fine.
“Don’t need it to get any worse,” Johnson said. “There’s no sense being a hero. A lot of guys aren’t going to tell you. I’m gonna still ask if something appears to be bothering them.”
Meanwhile, reliever Christian Garcia, making a push for a postseason roster spot with several strong performances since his recall Sept. 1 after rosters expanded, was seen walking through the room with his right arm iced and wrapped. Garcia is dealing with some biceps tendonitis, according to Johnson. He gave up a two-run homer in the ninth inning of a 10-4 Washington win on Saturday. This is a two-time Tommy John survivor so any issue like this rings alarm bells.
But Garcia will be available on Monday out of the bullpen. He told pitching coach Steve McCatty he feels fine. Johnson considers biceps pain normal for a pitcher. He thought Garcia “amped it up” after allowing that home run.
Interesting, that Johnson says the organization is thinking about making Garcia a starting pitcher next season. He does have three really strong pitches with a change-up and a curve ball to go with his mid-90s fastball.
Here are today’s lineups:
Brewers
RF – Norichika Aoki (L)
2B – Rickie Weeks
LF – Ryan Braun
3B – Aramis Ramirez
1B – Corey Hart
C – Jonathan Lucroy
CF – Carlos Gomez
SS – Jean Segura
RHP – Marco Estrada
Nats
RF – Jayson Werth
CF – Bryce Harper
3B – Ryan Zimmerman
1B – Adam LaRoche
SS – Ian Desmond
2B – Danny Espinosa
LF – Roger Bernadina
C – Kurt Suzuki
RHP – Jordan Zimmermann
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