Updates on Scherzer, Madson, Harper, Werth and Turner

HOUSTON - It has been a couple of days since the last update on right-handers Max Scherzer and Ryan Madson, so they were a hot topic with Nationals manager Dusty Baker prior to Tuesday night's opener against the Astros.

Scherzer was getting treatment with the club at Minute Maid Park and made his way out to the field for batting practice, stretch and warm-ups looking normal.

Baker confirmed the treatment plan for Scherzer and is still targeting Friday's home game against the Mets as his return date.

"It's too early," he said. "What's today, Tuesday? It's too early to tell. I'm planning on it until we hear otherwise."

"Yeah, he's been getting treatment the whole time. I imagine he's doing better. I don't want to ask him every day because Max will give me the same answer every day. We used caution in the situation to keep him healthy and around for a long time."

Baker gave an update on Madson and the right index finger sprain that has kept him out since Aug. 14.

"Our trainers were talking to the doctor today," Baker said. "They're trying to get that finger right. Hopefully, there's time for him to get right. We haven't really heard a definitive answer on it exactly what's wrong with it and how it's going to take. I just hope he's not out too long."

Baker has never seen this type of finger sprain before.

"It just sort of came up out of nowhere," Baker said. "He said he threw a pitch and it was there. It happens sometimes I just wish it hadn't happen to him."

Outfielder Jayson Werth and shortstop Trea Turner enjoyed their opportunity to return to the field as they began their rehab with Triple-A Syracuse last night.

"I love seeing those guys," Baker said. "I'm sure they're enjoying being back, playing. Trea and Jayson, they were going crazy. I just hope that when they come back, we don't have to rush them, but hope there's time enough for them to get sharp to be the same Jayson and Turner when they left. And if they are then that's like getting fresh bodies. Fresh bodies that aren't banged up.

"(For the) pitchers, this is the time of year when the sinkers aren't sinking as much. They have innings on them. Sliders aren't sliding as much. So if they're sharp and they come back, then they're going to be stronger than anybody on the field."

After tonight's game at Lehigh Valley, Syracuse has only 13 games remaining on its schedule with their season ending Sept. 4.

Baker noticed progress for right fielder Bryce Harper and his hyperextended left knee.

"He's not limping as badly," Baker said. "But a bone bruise is not like a muscle. It takes longer. He's been drinking a lot of milk, calcium, and magnesium and potassium. He said he was doing all of the above to get that thing right. I'm not going to ask him every day. How much can you heal from one day to the next? But who knows? He's kind of a miracle man, so we'll see."

Update: Werth went 1-for-3 with a single and a strikeout, while Turner went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the second game of their rehab stint for Syracuse at Lehigh Valley. Werth is 2-for-6 and Turner 0-for-6 after two games. Both players were lifted from the game after batting in the top of the fifth.