Updates on Adam Jones and Miguel Gonzalez

WASHINGTON - Center fielder Adam Jones said he's just receiving a normal day off in the series opener against the Nationals and he wonders why it's a story.

Jones usually has to be dragged out of the lineup, which makes his absence seem like a bigger deal.

"Just played four days on the turf, man. Got to let my body relax a little bit and heal a little bit," said Jones, who's replaced tonight by Junior Lake.

Jones said there isn't one specific ailment that's bothering him.

"Nah, just everything. Everything is barking," he said.

"Nah, I'm good. Playing a lot of games. Show (manager Buck Showalter) is looking out for me, giving me a day off. Thank you."

Jones didn't know he was excluded from the lineup until bench coach John Russell posted it.

"Just found out now," he said.

"I'm fine. Shoulder's fine. Shoulder's going to hurt no matter what, so it doesn't matter (with) a day off. It's fine."

Jones slammed into the fence at Tropicana Field over the weekend, but he said the impact didn't create a new injury or aggravate the old one. He receives daily treatment on his shoulder and wrist.

"You're looking too much into it," he said.

So, it's basically news only for the beat crew that Jones could miss his 14th game of the season.

"All right, but I'm human, though," Jones said. "Let me have a day off without it being a story. It's not a story. Just a normal human being takes his bumps and bruises and gets days off. When other players get days off around the league, I don't see them being talked to whenever they get a day off. They get a day off. There's nothing wrong with that anymore."

Jones has mentioned how the body changes after turning 30.

"Chemically, yeah," he said. "I think so, but we shall see."

Miguel Gonzalez said his bullpen session went according to plan yesterday and he's slated to face live hitters on Wednesday.

That good, since the dead ones always are in take mode.

Gonzalez is hoping to come off the disabled list this weekend and pitch in Boston.

"I don't know," he said. "I've got to talk to Dave (Wallace) and obviously Buck about it, and if they do activate me, then I'll be ready to go."

The schedule would allow for Gonzalez to make two more starts this season.

"That would be ideal. That would be great," he said.

"It is (important), especially the way the second half went for me. Obviously, going to be a good sign and they want to see it, as well. It really all depends how everything keeps going, and right now it's good. I'm definitely excited."

No more discomfort in the right shoulder or elbow.

"No, it's fine," he said. "I guess that's what I really needed, some rest, get it to where it needed to be, and right now it's fine."

Gonzalez had ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow six years ago and naturally fretted when he felt pain and experienced swelling after his last start.

"Of course," he said. "Nobody obviously wants to take the whole year off and to rehab or do something major, but we're happy with the results we got back from the MRI. Just mentally, helps out a lot."