Game 91 lineups: Nats at Pirates (Doolittle to DL)

PITTSBURGH - The Nationals need innings tonight from their starter. Which means Jeremy Hellickson may have to be pushed beyond the point they've preferred to push him so far this season. The right-hander has pitched six innings only once in 11 starts this season. He has topped the 90-pitch mark only three times.

None of that may matter given the state of the Nats bullpen, which has been forced to throw a total of 27 innings over the last six days. That group does have two fresh arms added to the mix tonight: Wander Suero and Austin Voth. Why two fresh arms? Because not only was Jefry Rodriguez optioned to Triple-A Syracuse following Monday night's rough start, but Sean Doolittle has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with left toe inflammation. That transaction is retroactive to July 7, which means Doolittle theoretically would be eligible to return as soon as July 17, which is the day of the All-Star Game. We'll find out shortly whether that's an option for him, or whether he's just going to sit out until the second-half opener July 20.

Meanwhile, the Nationals' painfully erratic lineup will try to bounce back from its three-run performance in the series opener and have more success against Pirates right-hander Joe Musgrove, fresh off a brief stint on the disabled list with a finger infection.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Where: PNC Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB Network (outside D.C. market), MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 83 degrees, wind 8 mph out to center field

NATIONALS
RF Adam Eaton
LF Juan Soto
3B Anthony Rendon
CF Bryce Harper
1B Matt Adams
SS Trea Turner
2B Daniel Murphy
C Spencer Kieboom
RHP Jeremy Hellickson

PIRATES
LF Corey Dickerson
CF Starling Marte
RF Gregory Polanco
3B Colin Moran
C Elias Díaz
1B Josh Bell
SS Jordy Mercer
2B Max Moroff
RHP Joe Musgrove