Bryce Harper returns for Game 1 of doubleheader (with lineups)

PHILADELPHIA - Bryce Harper returns to the Nationals lineup for Game 1 of today's straight doubleheader with the Phillies. It will be Harper's first game action since he injured his right hamstring late in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Braves. Harper ripped a one-out double in the 11th inning, but pulled up lame as he arrived at second base. Harper was checked out briefly, but remained in the game to score the winning run moments later on Ian Desmond's walk-off sacrifice fly.

Nationals manager Matt Williams indicated that Harper's hamstring remained tight while the slugger was sidelined the last few days.

Harper was just coming off a left hamstring strain, which he suffered while making an errant throw to the plate in the sixth inning of a loss to the Rays on June 18. Harper missed one game after that setback.

The Nationals will also have Denard Span back in center field and in his normal leadoff spot in the order. Span was a late scratch with back spasms before Friday's 5-2 win over the Phillies. Span has been bothered by the discomfort since June 7, but says he's never experienced any back issues before in his eight-year career.

In his last 10 games, Span is hitting .333 (13-for-39) with a double, two RBIs and nine runs scored. After showing surprising power with five home runs through the first two months of the season, Span has yet to leave the yard in June.

Yunel Escobar remains out of the lineup with a left hand contusion after being struck by a fastball from Phillies starter Aaron Harang on Friday night. X-rays taken shortly after the plunking were negative, but as of yesterday, Escobar was still dealing with swelling.

Danny Espinosa will make his sixth start of the season in place of Escobar at third base. Espinosa continues to swing the bat well, hitting .343 (12-for-35) over his last 10 games.

Stephen Strasburg takes the mound for the second time since coming off the 15-day disabled list with a left trapezius muscle strain. Strasburg looked comfortable, throwing a sharp five innings while allowing no runs and striking out six over five innings in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Braves. Strasburg should be able to extend beyond the 94 pitches manager Matt Williams limited him to in that outing.

The Phillies will throw righty Kevin Correia in Game 1 with rookie right-hander Severino Gonzalez starting the second game of today's twinbill. Williams will not name his starter for Game 2 until the conclusion of the first game.

For the Nationals:

CF Denard Span
3B Danny Espinosa
RF Bryce Harper
C Wilson Ramos
1B Clint Robinson
2B Dan Uggla
SS Ian Desmond
LF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Stephen Strasburg

For the Phillies:

CF Ben Revere
2B Cesar Hernandez
3B Maikel Franco
1B Ryan Howard
RF Jeff Francoeur
LF Cody Asche
C Cameron Rupp
SS Freddy Galvis
RHP Kevin Correia