Lineups for Padres-Nationals finale (game on MASN2)

After going 2-for-9 in two games since returning from the disabled list following a prolonged bout with back spasms, Denard Span is getting the night off from the starting lineup as the Nationals complete their three-game series against the Padres.

Left fielder Jayson Werth will take over leadoff duties in Span's absence, with Michael A. Taylor playing center field and hitting eighth against San Diego right-hander Andrew Cashner.

Rookie righty Joe Ross, whose brother Tyson stymied the Nats last night, starts for the Nationals.

Ross' time in the rotation may be winding down as September nears and the Nationals expected to impose an innings limit on him. Between Washington, Triple-A Syracuse and Double-A Harrisburg, Ross has logged 136 2/3 innings pitched. Last season, he pitched 121 2/3 innings at two levels of the Padres system. Typically, young pitchers don't work more than about 30 innings over their limit from the previous season.

Once Ross reaches whatever limit the Nationals have decided to impose, he will likely be shut down and replaced in the rotation. That's one reason right-hander Tanner Roark is being stretched out as a starter at Single-A Potomac after being optioned out when Span returned from the DL.

For the Padres:

RF Travis Jankowski
2B Cory Spangenberg
3B Yangervis Solarte
LF Justin Upton
1B Yonder Alonso
CF Melvin Upton
SS Alexi Amarista
C Austin Hedges
RHP Andrew Cashner

For the Nationals:

LF Jayson Werth
2B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
3B Yunel Escobar
1B Ryan Zimmerman
SS Ian Desmond
C Wilson Ramos
CF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Joe Ross

Update: Tonight's Padres-Nationals game, originally scheduled to air on MASN at 6:30 p.m., has been moved to MASN2 because the start of this afternoon's Orioles-Royals game on MASN was delayed by rain. Once coverage of the Orioles game concludes, bonus coverage will be provided on MASN.