Hello from New York for the fourth and final time this year, where the Nats start a three-game series with the Mets tonight. Not a lot in the way of pregame news today—the most interesting tidbit, in fact, is that Pete Orr will head to the team’s instructional league after the season to learn how to catch in case the Nats find themselves in an emergency like the one that prompted them to acquire Jamie Burke from the Mariners on Thursday night.
Class AAA Syracuse manager Tim Foli, who is with the Nats this month as an extra coach, thought of the idea earlier this week and mentioned it to GM Mike Rizzo, who approached Orr with the idea. The utility infielder, who has played seven positions in a professional game (everywhere but first base and catcher) could eventually cross No. 8 off his list.
SEE RELATED:
Other news: Wil Nieves said his hamstring injury isn’t as serious as originally feared—it’s on the lower part of his hamstring, and he could return as soon as Tuesday. Austin Kearns, however, isn’t likely to return. The outfielder, who’s been out most of the second half after getting debris removed from the base of his right thumb, is only doing some basic exercises gripping a bat. Kearns, who has a $10 million option for 2010, has likely seen the end of his time in Washington.
Now, the lineups:
Nationals:
Harris CF
Guzman SS
Zimmerman 3B
Dunn 1B
Willingham LF
Dukes RF
Desmond 2B
Bard C
Martin P
Mets:
Pagan LF
Castillo 2B
Wright 3B
Beltran CF
Murphy 1B
Francoeur RF
Schneider C
Valdez SS
Pelfrey P
