Fister slated to make first start next week, Williams offers update on Ramos

Offseason acquisition Doug Fister, who is on the disabled list with a strained lat, is set to make his first regular season start in a Nationals uniform next week. Whether that start is on Wednesday or Friday has yet to be determined.

Fister made a rehab start with Double-A Harrisburg last night.

"Felt strong, felt right where I need to be," he said in Philadelphia. "I feel like I'm a little late obviously, but for the most part, came out of the game, felt strong, felt like I could go out for another couple innings."

Fister's night was finished after 3 2/3 innings. He threw 76 pitches, allowing two runs and three walks, while striking out five. Fister says he feels ready to join the Nationals rotation.

"I'm more excited just to be part of the team. Yes, I've been here, but I'm excited to help in any way that I can now, and get out there and get off the mound for the first time for these guys, really feel a part of the team," Fister said. "It's been a long time coming and I'm pretty amped about it. I'm looking forward to Wednesday."

Stephen Strasburg's next scheduled start is Wednesday, when the Nats host the Dodgers, meaning that Fister could be pushed back to start Friday's game in Oakland.

"We're always looking for extra rest for guys, but the fact that (Strasburg) only threw 80-some pitches last night may dictate that we could push too," manager Matt Williams said. "We'll make that determination today.

"(Fister's) good to go. There's no issues. He got through his outing and feels good about it. We talked about Wednesday earlier today, but then we thought, 'You know what? It may actually work better the other way.' So we'll talk to him again, make sure we're on the same page."

Williams said that a decision will be announced after tonight's game in Philadelphia.

The Nats skipper also offered an update on Wilson Ramos, who landed on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured hamate bone, rectroative to April 1. The Nats catcher went 1-for-4 and caught six innings at extended spring training today. The plan is for Ramos to fly back tonight and serve as Single-A Hagerstown's designated hitter tomorrow.

"That's the plan unless he doesn't feel good after today," Williams said. "Today, six innings of catching and said that he felt good afterwards, so we'll see how he feels tomorrow. If he feels good, he'll DH tomorrow."

Nate McLouth, who is in left field tonight, will likely get another start tomorrow after Cole Hamels was scratched with flu-like symptoms, according to Williams. Roberto Hernandez will start for the Phillies tomorrow in the series finale.