Photo Credit Marlene Koenig @royalmusing for TalkNats
We always find out tidbits from the manager’s pressers before and after the games, and it came as quite the shock when managers from both sides of Nationals Park were giving injury news. Terry Collins had to discuss a serious injury to Michael Conforto and then after the game another hamstring injury for Yoenis Cespedes, and Dusty Baker informed the media that Ryan Zimmerman had hurt himself in Houston on Thursday night which explained why “Mr. Walk-off” did not pinch-hit on Friday night.
“I think he hurt his arm or shoulder — really couldn’t swing [in Friday’s game],” Dusty Baker said. “[It happened] on his headfirst slide yesterday into the plate. I don’t anticipate he’ll be much better tomorrow, but hopefully on Sunday.”
The Nationals could option AJ Cole back to Triple-A Syracuse and add a position player from a small group of eligible players, but nothing seems obvious as the Nationals need a starter for Wednesday. One choice could be to add Jayson Werth back to the active roster — but that would require a corresponding move like a DFA or 60-Day DL move of Ryan Raburn for instance as they have to also clear a 40-man spot since Jayson Werth is not on the 40-man roster after he was transitioned to the 60-day DL. Werth has been on the DL since June 3rd and has been eligible to come off of the DL for over 3 weeks now, but he needed the extra time to get back to 100% from that injury in his foot. Other players available are Jose Marmalejos and Rafael Bautista who just returned from the MiLB DL this past week. It’s also possible to promote a non-40-man player or sign a free agent or even make a trade at this point as the players they are promoting as you see with De Aza aren’t making a positive contribution. The Nationals roster has been decimated. Last night’s line-up featured just one player from the Opening Day starting line-up and that was a very fatigued Daniel Murphy.
Stay tuned for roster moves by both teams. The Mets are expected to activate Jose Reyes.
Today’s starters are Gio Gonzalez for the Nationals and Robert Gsellman for the Mets. Both teams have faced these starters but these particular lineups really haven’t. The Nationals players might be more familiar with Gsellman from the Minor Leagues.
Dusty Baker should be resting a few players who played last night like Daniel Murphy and possibly even Michael Taylor, but those plans can change quickly.
New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park
1st Pitch: 4:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN2, SNY, MLB.TV
Nats Radio: 106.7 FM The Fan; SiriusXM® Sirius 216 XM 184 (Internet 869)
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
Double G takes the hill this afternoon. #PlayersWeekend pic.twitter.com/birOE7AMId
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 26, 2017
