Williams updates Span, Carpenter and Werth in preparation for Arizona

The Nationals have been able to get pretty close to what they envisioned as their opening day lineup but are still waiting on center fielder Denard Span. Anthony Rendon, Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth are the latest injured starters to return. But Span has now missed 20 games since back tightness forced him to the disabled list July 7.

Manager Matt Williams updated Span's status during pregame for the opening matchup this week against the Diamondbacks.

"He's feeling good," Williams said. "Planning on doing some light stuff on the field today. Light groundball activity in the outfield. Continuing to hit in the cage. Next couple of days, we''ll get him out for a live BP session, and then look to get some live BP for him too later in the week. Run the bases. That's kind of the final step. Depending on how he feels, we'll progress to that. We'll see."

Williams was asked what he needs from Span's swings to know he has recovered from the back issue?

"Volume. It's going to be volume probably," Williams said. "Limited in the cage is one thing, but getting out there and reacting without having to think about it is key, too. If he can go through multiple BP sessions and early work and regular defensive work that he does, then he should be fine to get out and play somewhere."

And the other good news was that Span hasn't had any recent reoccurrence of the back spasms.

"Hasn't had any so far," Williams said. "The volume probably will be the tell-tale sign for that. So the more he does, we'll get a better read on how he's feeling, but nothing so far, which is a good sign."

The Nationals have recently gone to Yunel Escobar to try to ignite the top of their order. Span had already shown in his career how good he was at making a starter work in that first at-bat and continued to hit the ball well in his 59 game that he played in this season.

"We're definitely ready to get Denard back," outfielder/first baseman Clint Robinson said. "I know he's working his way back. Once he gets back, we'll be firing on all cylinders. Look to get going and go into these last two months strong and try to win this division."

The Nationals are 35-24 with Span in the lineup this season and only 19-25 when he can't play. Span is hitting .352 when he leads off the game and has a .367 on-base percentage. When batting first in the Nats lineup, Span is hitting .304. That would be big right now when the team has had to rely on solo homers and hasn't been able to generate much other offense. The Nationals scored only six runs in their last four games.

"He's extremely important," Robinson said. "I think our record for when he's playing speaks for itself. I'm pretty sure we win a lot more when he's in there then when he's not. Getting him back is going to be really important. He's kind of a game changer for us offensively. I think when he gets back, I think its going to be real good for us and we'll catch some fire and hopefully win a lot of ballgames."

Williams updated Jayson Werth's status and said the outfielder is just getting the day off and has not suffered any issues with his healing wrist injury.

"Just rest," Williams said. "He's gotta build strength in that wrist. Day off. Yeah, that's it."

Reliever David Carpenter (right shoulder inflammation) was seen on the field long tossing during today's batting practice.

"He's back on throwing program and getting ready to go again," Williams said. "All results are good. He's building back up. He'll go out and throw today and start that process."