No timetable for Turner's return from broken index finger

Nationals shortstop Trea Turner broke his right index finger when he was hit by pitch from Phillies starter Zach Eflin in the first inning of Tuesday's 8-2 loss. Turner was attended on the field by Nats head athletic trainer Dale Gilbert and left the game.

After the game, manager Davey Martinez and Turner confirmed the injury is a non-displaced fractured finger on his throwing hand. Martinez said there was no timetable for Turner's return.

"Yeah, it's broken, didn't feel real good," Turner said. "But it's baseball, you got to roll with the punches and we'll move on. It's never fun. Doesn't matter if it's the first game or the last game of the year, injuries aren't fun. Takes you out of the lineup, takes you out of the game and you just want to be out there competing. Not fun, but it is what it is."

Turner wasn't the only Nationals player to depart Tuesday's game with an injury. First baseman Matt Adams left the game with back spasms in the fourth inning. He got hurt in the first inning when he fell over waist-high fence going for a foul ball down the first base line and landed upside down on a concrete walkway. He did get up and walk slowly back onto the field and played three innings. Martinez said Adams is day-to-day.

One option to replace Turner is to get Adrián Sanchez or Carter Kieboom from Triple-A Fresno. It would most likely be Sanchez because he is already on the 40-man roster (Kieboom is not) and the Nationals want Kieboom to play every day. Martinez said after the game he expects Wilmer Difo to be the starting shortstop until Turner can return.

Turner was hoping it was a dislocation but feared the worst.

"Yeah, I had no idea. I couldn't move it," Turner said. "I never had anything dislocated, so I figured that's what it was. I think it might have been a combination of that. Also, with a break, I'm not really sure, but I couldn't move it so I knew something wasn't good.

"I was hoping it was dislocation just because I feel like that would be a better scenario then a broken bone but (I'm) just frustrated."

Turner wanted to bunt on the play, but was stunned when he saw the pitch get away from Eflin.

"I think don't expect somebody to basically throw at my head, so for me when I see a ball in that kind of tunnel, first thought is slider," Turner said. "Maybe started up and in, tried to get for a strike. Tried staying in there with a bunt and just kind of kept running."

Turner did not have a timetable for his return to the lineup.

"No, I don't really know," Turner said. "(The) more time goes on, the better we will know."

Starting pitcher Max Scherzer did not see Turner get injured, but heard teammates talking about the seriousness of the injury.

"They were thinking his finger was broken," Scherzer said. "That's never something you want to hear. It's just a bad break, no other way to say it. Things happen, next man in line. Hey, Difo's got to come up and he's got to play. He's done it before.

"He's been in the situation where he's had opportunities to play and he's played well for us in the past. So here's another opportunity for Difo. Nobody feels sorry for you when these things happen. Now you got to go out and continue to play."

Turner now knows he must switch his focus to being a supportive teammate. He said he kept words from catcher Kurt Suzuki in his mind as he looked ahead to the next few weeks of rehab without an opportunity to play.

"Yeah, be positive," Turner said. "I think Zuke said it the other day, do something every day to help your team to win. So, for me, I think I still have something to offer and I'm going to try to find different ways (for) individuals, whoever they are and whatever we need, try to help."