Game 133 lineups: Nats vs. Marlins

Slowly but surely, the Nationals are getting their bullpen back. That is, the bullpen they acquired on July 31 but only had together for one game. Roenis Elías, who made just the one appearance before straining his hamstring, has been activated off the injured list and is available to pitch in tonight's series opener against the Marlins. And Hunter Strickland, who has been around for most of the last month, has returned from paternity leave.

Needing to clear two roster spots, the Nationals have designated Matt Grace for assignment and optioned Spencer Kieboom to Double-A Harrisburg. The Grace move isn't a shocker, not when you consider how much he has struggled all season. But with rosters expanding in two days, you did wonder if they'd find a way to keep him around. In the end, they decided not to.

As for tonight's game, Aníbal Sánchez is back on the mound, looking to duplicate his dominant effort from last weekend at Wrigley Field, where he carried a one-hit shutout into the ninth inning. He'll work with Kurt Suzuki, as always, behind the plate. But the rest of the lineup is a little different. Gerardo Parra starts in right field and bats second, with Adam Eaton apparently still feeling the effects of the pitch he took off his right knee on Wednesday night. And Asdrúbal Cabrera remains in the lineup, batting fifth and playing second base over Brian Dozier, who has lost some playing time to the veteran in the last week-plus.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. MIAMI MARLINS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Clear, 84 degrees, wind 8 mph out to center field

NATIONALS (74-58)
SS Trea Turner
RF Gerardo Parra
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
2B Asdrúbal Cabrera
1B Matt Adams
C Kurt Suzuki
CF Victor Robles
RHP Aníbal Sánchez

MARLINS (48-85)
SS Jon Berti
RF Harold Ramirez
3B Starlin Castro
1B Neil Walker
C Jorge Alfaro
2B Isan Díaz
CF Lewis Brinson
LF Austin Dean
RHP Elieser Hernandez