Max Scherzer starts Wednesday, Danny Espinosa suffers hamstring tear

By Josh Land

Nationals

September 22, 2015, 1:36pm

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Nationals manager Matt Williams has shuffled his pitching rotation a bit after last night's rainout. Right-hander Tanner Roark, who was scheduled to start in Game 2, now moves to the finale on Thursday afternoon. Williams will keep his ace Max Scherzer on normal rest, sending the righty to the mound tomorrow night.

Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann is due to take the hill for Friday's opener against the Phillies in what could be his final start at Nationals Park. Zimmermann, 29, becomes a free agent at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, the results of Danny Espinosa's MRI from earlier today were not encouraging.

"He's got a tear in his attachment in his right hamstring," Williams revealed. "So we're gonna have to be cautious with him for sure."

Espinosa injured the hamstring when he scored the game-winning run from third in the 11th inning of last Monday's 8-7 triumph in Philadelphia.

"Since then, he hasn't been out there and he's been trying to get it better," Williams said.

Williams indicated that he anticipates it being tough to get Espinosa in any game situation right now.

"It's an injury that even if you're pinch-hitting, you could damage. ... Getting in the out of the box, hitting a double, whatever it is," Williams said.