The Nationals are expected to make a roster move later this morning to fill the spot vacated by Tom Gorzelanny and they could choose to fill that spot with a starter for Sunday or take the one day and call up a reliever or a position player before optioning them back down following today’s game.
Collin Balester is at Nationals Park and working out in the outfield right now, so expect him to be the move for today. The Nationals will still need a starter for Sunday’s game.
As for today’s game, it’s a good pitching matchup with Tim Stauffer going against Jordan Zimmermann.
Here are the lineups, with Rick Ankiel leading off in place of Roger Bernadina, who has played every game since getting called up on May 7.
Nationals:
Rick Ankiel CF
Ian Desmond SS
Jayson Werth RF
Laynce Nix LF
Michael Morse 1B
Danny Espinosa 2B
Ivan Rodriguez C
Jerry Hairston Jr. 3B
Jordan Zimmermann P
Padres:
Eric Patterson RF
Jason Bartlett SS
Ryan Ludwick LF
Brad Hawpe 1B
Chase Headley 3B
Blake Tekotte CF
Kyle Phillips C
Logan Forsythe 2B
Tim Stauffer P
Here’s how the Nationals have done in the past vs. Stauffer:
Roger Bernadina: Never faced
Ian Desmond: Never faced
Jayson Werth: 4-for-8 (.500), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB, .556 OBP, 1 K
Michael Morse: Never faced
Laynce Nix: 1-for-4 (.250)
Danny Espinosa: Never faced
Ivan Rodriguez: Never faced
Jerry Hairston Jr.: 2-for-4 (.500)
Jordan Zimmermann: Never faced
Others:
Rick Ankiel: 1-for-2 (.500)
Wilson Ramos: Never faced
