Updates on LaRoche, Soriano and more

Davey Johnson and Bryce Harper took a little field trip this afternoon, heading down to City Hall to be honored by the D.C. Council with ceremonial resolutions. Johnson, the 2012 National League Manager of the Year, and Harper, the 2012 NL Rookie of the Year, received their resolutions, presented by council member Vincent Orange. "It was good. I'm glad to see they're doing some work down there," quipped Johnson, when asked about his afternoon. Johnson's resolution listed him as five years younger than he actually is. The Nationals skipper said he would gladly take it. On more relevant topics, Johnson said that Adam LaRoche should be just fine after missing the last two games with back tightness. LaRoche felt better on Sunday, then came to the park yesterday to get treatment on his back. He got checked out this afternoon and was cleared to start tonight's game. "He said he felt good to go," Johnson said. Johnson also reported that closer Rafael Soriano tweaked his leg in Saturday's win over the Reds, but added that he thinks the injury is a "non-issue." Soriano apparently suffered the minor injury when going to cover home plate after his wild pitch that brought in Joey Votto with the game-tying run. "I think he's fine, too," Johnson said. Johnson was asked whether he feels having his catchers alternate starts is working through the season's first two series. "Yeah, I wish the rest of the lineup was working as good as the catchers are working," Johnson said. "Maybe I should be alternating them, too." As I mentioned earlier, Wilson Ramos and Kurt Suzuki have combined to hit .389 with three homers thus far. The Nats as a whole are batting just .224. "I think a lot of the guys are pressing a little bit," Johnson said. "We've had a lot of off-days. We'll get going." Since their final spring training game on March 29, the Nats have had four off-days. Early in the season, when hitters are trying to find their timing, that's not always the best thing. "I thought we came out of spring swinging the bats pretty good," Johnson said. "But we had two off-days before the opener, we had an off-day (after the opener), we played a few in cold weather. I like my offense. I like everybody in the lineup. I like the bench, too. It'll pick up."