Game 90 lineups: Nats vs. Padres

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

July 16, 2021, 1:21pm

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And we're back. The second half of the season gets underway tonight on South Capitol Street, and before Erick Fedde throws the first pitch, there's already been plenty of news.

For those who didn't see it earlier: Starlin Castro has been placed on administrative leave while Major League Baseball investigates an allegation of domestic violence. Jordy Mercer has been activated off the 10-day injured list and will start at third base tonight against the Padres.

Also, the Nationals signed veteran catcher RenÃ© Rivera and optioned Jakson Reetz back to Triple-A Rochester. And Rivera, the 37-year-old who has spent 13 seasons in the majors, will be behind the plate tonight catching Fedde, with Tres Barrera as his backup.

So it's a depleted lineup card once again for Davey Martinez, who is forced to bat Josh Harrison fifth, Mercer sixth and Rivera seventh against San Diego right-hander Chris Paddack.

SAN DIEGO PADRES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 89 degrees, wind 8 mph out to left field

NATIONALS
2B Alcides Escobar
SS Trea Turner
RF Juan Soto
1B Josh Bell
LF Josh Harrison
3B Jordy Mercer
C RenÃ© Rivera
CF Victor Robles
RHP Erick Fedde

PADRES
CF Trent Grisham
SS Fernando Tatis Jr.
2B Jake Cronenworth
3B Manny Machado
LF Tommy Pham
1B Eric Hosmer
RF Wil Myers
C Victor Caratini
RHP Chris Paddack