Robles getting ultrasound on injured left knee

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Nationals continue to believe Victor Robles will miss only a few days after bruising his left knee making a difficult catch Wednesday afternoon, but they were concerned enough to send the center fielder for a follow-up ultrasound today.

Robles wasn’t seen at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches while reporters were in the clubhouse prior to tonight’s exhibition against Israel, but he was walking with a slight limp after the game Wednesday against the Tigers in Lakeland.

“He’s going to be day-to-day,” manager Davey Martinez said. “He’s going to be checked out. I want to make sure that everything’s OK with him. So he’s going to get an ultrasound today, because we want to be cautious.”

Robles was chasing down Spencer Torkelson’s second-inning drive to deep center field when he crashed into the fence at Joker Marchant Stadium, his left knee striking the wall. He made the catch but immediately fell to the ground in pain. After attempting to get up and walk it off, he went back down to the ground, prompting Martinez and head athletic trainer Paul Lessard to jog out of the visitors’ dugout to tend to him.

Martinez said Robles’ kneecap struck a pipe that sits directly behind that portion of the wall, causing the injury.

“He wanted to walk, but it was painful for him,” the manager said. “Luckily, the cart was waiting for him, so I called the cart out. Like I said, he smoked it. You could hear it.”

The Nationals have top prospect James Wood (who is still in minor league camp) starting in center field tonight. Though they don’t believe the injury to be anything serious, it does raise the question: What would the backup plan be if Robles did miss any length of time?

Martinez said Lane Thomas would most likely shift over to center field, but that would leave right field open, with a few possible candidates. That includes Joey Meneses, who is projected to spend most of his time as designated hitter.

“Lane will probably go to center. Then we’ll have to assess who would play right then,” Martinez said. “It could be Meneses. Hopefully, though, (Robles) is OK. But yeah, Lane will play center.”

Martinez also mentioned several potential utility infielders who are getting outfield work during pregame drills: Ildemaro Vargas, Jake Alu and Jeter Downs.