Game 4 lineups: Nats at Dodgers (four players activated)

Here's some good news to share as the Nationals prepare to open their weekend series at Dodger Stadium against the 2020 World Series champs: They've got four of the nine players who were sidelined for COVID-19 reasons back on the active roster, including both catchers and their closer.

Yes, the Nats announced the activation of Yan Gomes, Alex Avila, Brad Hand and Jordy Mercer from the injured list in time for today's game in L.A. It's not as much of a boost as ideally they could've received - Josh Bell, Kyle Schwarber, Patrick Corbin, Jon Lester and Josh Harrison remain out - but it's still a boost nonetheless.

To make room for the four returnees, the Nationals made a flurry of other transactions. Carter Kieboom and Cody Wilson were sent back to the alternate training site in Fredericksburg. Tres Barrera and Ryne Harper were optioned to the Fredericksburg camp, but remain with the club and will be part of the five-man taxi squad for this road trip. Also on the taxi squad are Gerardo Parra, Adrián Sanchez and T.J. McFarland.

As for today's lineup against the Dodgers, Davey Martinez is actually sticking with all players who were already on the roster for the opening series. Perhaps wanting to give both Gomes and Avila a chance to ease back in after the time off, it'll be Jonathan Lucroy (who remains on the roster) behind the plate to catch Joe Ross.

Martinez is sticking with the Victor Robles-Trea Turner-Juan Soto trio at the top, in that order. Hey, it's worked so far, no reason to mess around with it yet.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Where: Dodger Stadium
Gametime: 4:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv, MLB Network (outside D.C. market)
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Sunny, 73 degrees, wind 6 mph out to center field

NATIONALS
CF Victor Robles
SS Trea Turner
RF Juan Soto
1B Ryan Zimmerman
2B Starlin Castro
LF Andrew Stevenson
2B Luis García
C Jonathan Lucroy
RHP Joe Ross

DODGERS
CF Chris Taylor
SS Corey Seager
3B Justin Turner
1B Max Muncy
C Will Smith
2B Gavin Lux
LF A.J. Pollock
RF Zach McKinstry
RHP Walker Buehler