Game 118 lineups: Nats vs. Braves (Thomas called up)

Things are pretty bleak around Nationals Park these days. The home team has lost 11 of 12 and 29 of 39, and has fallen into a tie with the Marlins for last place in the National League East. Yes, this is the first step in a rebuilding project, and the club's record means a lot less now than it did three weeks ago. But that doesn't make this any easier to watch. Or, for those involved personally, to experience.

But the Nationals have no choice but to press on, and today they'll try to snap the streak and avoid a sweep at the hands of the Braves.

They'll do so with a new left fielder: Lane Thomas, who was called up from Triple-A Rochester this morning. Thomas, acquired from the Cardinals for Jon Lester, is the right-handed backup outfielder the Nats have lacked all season, and he'll get a look over the next seven weeks.

Thomas has taken the roster spot not of a fellow position player, but of Joe Ross, who was placed on the 10-day injured list today with what unfortunately looks like a major elbow injury. He has been diagnosed with a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament, and though a final decision hasn't been made yet, manager Davey Martinez revealed this morning that a second Tommy John surgery is a possibility. Much more on that sad story coming in a little bit.

ATLANTA BRAVES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Cloudy, 80 degrees, wind 8 mph in from right field

NATIONALS
CF Victor Robles
LF Lane Thomas
RF Juan Soto
1B Josh Bell
3B Carter Kieboom
C Riley Adams
SS Luis García
2B Adrián Sanchez
RHP Paolo Espino

BRAVES
2B Ozzie Albies
RF Jorge Soler
1B Freddie Freeman
3B Austin Riley
SS Dansby Swanson
LF Adam Duvall
CF Joc Pederson
C Stephen Vogt
LHP Drew Smyly