Desmond, LaRoche, Span out of Nats lineup

By Dan Kolko

Nationals

August 22, 2013, 8:01am

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CHICAGO - The Nationals' lineup for this afternoon's series finale in Chicago is without three regulars - Ian Desmond, Adam LaRoche and Denard Span. Desmond felt his back tighten up on him during batting practice yesterday and was pulled from last night's game as a precaution as part of a double-switch in the fifth inning. He said after the game last night that he was fine and that on a scale of 1-to-10 of injuries that he's played through, this was a one. Still, Desmond is out of the lineup today. LaRoche and Span will again sit against a left-handed starter. Travis Wood goes for the Cubs today. Tyler Moore will play first base, Bryce Harper will slide over and play center field and Scott Hairston will start in left. Stephen Strasburg will get the start for the Nats, his first time back on the mound since getting ejected in the second inning on Saturday for throwing behind Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons. For the Nats: CF Bryce Harper SS Anthony Rendon 3B Ryan Zimmerman RF Jayson Werth C Wilson Ramos 1B Tyler Moore LF Scott Hairston 2B Steve Lombardozzi RHP Stephen Strasburg