There is a big game tonight between the Nationals and Mets which matches up two All-Star pitchers between Stephen Strasburg and Noah Syndergaard. The Nationals will also have a much different looking roster for tonight’s game.
With the 4 roster moves today that we detailed this morning, the Nats officially recalled Trea Turner and Michael Taylor while optioning Lucas Giolito to AAA, and the team moved Ryan Zimmerman to the 15-day DL . Reports say Ryan Zimmerman has a “left rib cage strain”. No further news on the severity, however Dusty Baker said yesterday Zimmerman was day-to-day with an undisclosed injury which could indicate it is not serious, and Mike Rizzo also said the same to the media in New York on Thursday afternoon.
With Lucas Giolito optioned, he is eligible to return in 10 days, or earlier in case of an injury which is how Michael Taylor was able to be recalled so quickly. As it looks now though, Joe Ross would slide back into the rotation after the All-Star break if he is cleared to pitch, and Giolito would pitch after the All-Star break for the Syracuse Chiefs. Because Michael Taylor was recalled so quickly, he didn’t use up an option since he spent less than 20 days in the Minors.
Dusty Baker also got to keep his 8 man bullpen as the Nats are now carrying 4 starters,. Unfortunately the Nationals will be short-handed tonight on left-handed relief pitchers as Baker will not have Oliver Perez or Sammy Solis available tonight unless there is an emergency situation or key LOOGY spot leaving Felipe Rivero as his lone lefty.
Here are the Nats stats against Noah Syndergaard:
Here is Stephen Strasburg’s stats against the Mets:
Washington Nationals and New York Mets
Stadium: CitiField, Queens, NY
1st Pitch: 7:10 pm EDT
TV: MASN, WUSA9, SNY-NY, MLB.tv
Line-ups (subject to change without notice):
- Ben Revere CF
- Jayson Werth LF
- Daniel Murphy2B
- Bryce Harper RF
- Wilson Ramos C
- Clint Robinson 1B
- Anthony Rendon 3B
- Danny Espinosa SS
- Stephen Strasburg RHP
