Just a few things to pass along while we wait out the rain delay:

--Manny Acta said the Nationals will likely call up a starter from Class AAA Columbus to replace Odalis Perez on Saturday. Perez left early last night with shoulder tendinitis, and hopes to miss just one start. The team will announce the Saturday starter within the next day or two, Acta said. Our guess is that it's either Mike O'Connor or Tyler Clippard, both of whom have pitched in the majors before and wouldn't be making their big-league debut in a spot start.

--Paul Lo Duca will head out on a rehab assignment by the weekend, probably to Class A Potomac.

--Acta said tonight's lineup (if it ever becomes dry enough for him to use it) is an attempt to get something--anything--going offensively. He put Elijah Dukes in the No. 2 spot because the outfielder has been drawing more walks lately, and broke up the John Lannan-Wil Nieves pairing because Jesus Flores has been one of the Nationals' offensive bright spots.

We'll be back once this game gets going--although the streak of lightning that just ripped through the sky suggests that won't be for a while.

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