Strange-Gordon begins rehab assignment in Rochester

Twelve days after first getting ill and being forced to isolate in his Pittsburgh hotel, Nationals utilityman Dee Strange-Gordon will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester.

Strange-Gordon is leading off and playing shortstop for the Red Wings, his first competitive game since he served as a last-ditch relief pitcher during an April 12 loss in Atlanta. Two days later, he was supposed to be in the Nats lineup for their series opener against the Pirates, but was sent back to the team hotel with an illness that has never been officially disclosed by the club.

The Nationals placed Strange-Gordon on an unspecified injured list the following day, one that removed him from the organization’s 40-man roster, which has been the fate for other players who tested positive for COVID-19 over the last two seasons. He was allowed to drive himself home to D.C. a couple of days later, but remained in quarantine until recently.

Because of that time off with no ability to work out, Strange-Gordon is going to need some time to get himself back into playing shape again. He was at Nationals Park on Monday for a workout, and manager Davey Martinez said “he got tired pretty quickly.”

“He didn’t do much (while quarantined),” Martinez said. “With him, he’s built for speed and putting the ball in play, stuff like that. We’re going to get him to play some outfield, some middle infield while he’s down there. I’ll stay in touch with (Rochester manager Matt LeCroy) and see how he’s doing every day. I talked to Dee and I told him: ‘When you feel like you’re ready, just let us know and we’ll keep eyes on you.’ ”

The Nationals have been playing with a three-man bench for the last week, and that lack of position player depth reached a critical point Sunday when Josh Bell and Victor Robles were out of the lineup with minor ailments and backup catcher Riley Adams was forced to play first base for the first time in his career after infielder Lucius Fox got sick two pitches into the game and had to depart.

Strange-Gordon’s return, whenever it happens, will be welcomed by the manager.

“I miss him a lot,” Martinez said. “Because we value what he can do for us coming off the bench, playing all the positions, his speed. We definitely have missed him. I want him back as soon as possible, but I want to make sure he’s ready.”

Bell and Robles, by the way, are back in tonight’s lineup. Bell, who missed Sunday’s game with a tight right hamstring after departing Wednesday’s game with a sore left knee, reported that he’s feeling much better but will be watched closely. Robles, who had a tight groin muscle, appears to be fine now. And Fox is feeling better again following his unfortunate moment Sunday afternoon.

* The Nationals have not yet announced a starter for Thursday’s series finale, only that Josiah Gray is starting tonight’s game against the Marlins, with Erick Fedde following him Wednesday evening.

Patrick Corbin, who couldn’t complete two innings in his last start and sports an unsightly 11.20 ERA through four outings, threw off the bullpen mound this afternoon with pitching coach Jim Hickey alongside. It’s the kind of throwing session that typically comes two days before a start, but Martinez insisted a decision hasn’t been made yet about Thursday.

“We’re still TBD right now,” the manager said. “He threw a bullpen today. I’ll talk to him. I’ll talk to Hickey and we’ll see. I know he wanted to work on some stuff with Corbin in his bullpen today. I have not yet talked to any of them. We’ll see what’s going on.”