Robles sitting out, but X-rays on ankle negative

Victor Robles isn't in the Nationals lineup for today's series finale at Wrigley Field, but the young center fielder's right ankle is apparently feeling well enough to give manager Davey Martinez reason to believe he could be available off the bench in a pinch.

Robles, who fell to the ground in a heap after his ankle gave out while rounding first base on his fourth-inning hit Wednesday night, had X-rays taken following the game. Martinez said today during his pregame Zoom session with reporters that the X-rays came back negative, and Robles is day-to-day.

"He says he feels pretty good today," Martinez said. "So he's getting treatment, and hopefully he's available later in the game."

An X-ray would determine if Robles fractured a bone in his ankle. Asked if the 24-year-old would need an MRI to determine if he suffered a sprain or other structural damage, Martinez suggested that's not currently in the works.

"At this point, talking to our training staff, he feels pretty good," the manager said. "There's no swelling. We'll see how he gets through today."

The injury occurred on the latest in a string of well-struck hits by Robles. During the first six games of this road trip, he's batting .412 (7-for-17) with five doubles, four RBIs, a .500 on-base percentage and 1.206 OPS.

Robles appeared to be headed for another double on his fourth-inning liner into the left field corner, but after rounding first base, his right ankle got turned and he fell to the ground in obvious pain. A long exam by director of athletic training Paul Lessard appeared to rule out the worst, and when Robles hopped to his feet and began jogging, he convinced Lessard and Martinez to let him stay in the game.

Three innings later, though, the club decided to pull Robles in favor of Andrew Stevenson, who wound up making a diving catch in shallow center field in a key spot during the Nationals' 4-3 win.

"Honestly, I think we got a little lucky," Martinez said. "When he first fell, I thought he had blown his Achilles. But the good news is, the X-rays came back negative. He feels OK. That's good. But he's doing well. He's swinging the bat well. He's playing well. I love the way he's playing right now."

* Though they won't announce anything officially until after today's game, the Nationals are expected to activate Stephen Strasburg for Friday night's series opener against the Orioles.

Strasburg, who has been on the 10-day injured list since April 18 with right shoulder inflammation, appears to have passed all the necessary tests to rejoin the rotation. He threw 75 pitches during a rehab start for Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, then completed a bullpen session at Wrigley Field on Tuesday without issues.

Erick Fedde, who would've been lined up to start Friday, is now on the COVID-19 IL after testing positive for the coronavirus. And though the right-hander, who was vaccinated and is asymptomatic, could be cleared to return before completing a full 10-day quarantine period, there's little reason to believe he'll be ready to pitch Friday.

Strasburg could then slide into Fedde's rotation spot.

"I'll make an announcement after the game," Martinez said. "He's doing well. But I'll announce something after the game."