Scherzer plans to pitch tonight with broken nose

If the Nationals play tonight, they expect Max Scherzer to take the mound, broken nose, black eye and all.

"I am convinced right now that Scherzer is going to pitch the second game," manager Davey Martinez said this morning before the opener of the Nationals' scheduled day-night doubleheader with the Phillies. "And then we'll go from there."

Scherzer broke his nose when he fouled off a bunt attempt Tuesday during batting practice. He was checked out by doctors, got a clean bill of health from a CT scan (beyond the confirmation of the fracture) and insisted to club officials he would be good to pitch as planned tonight.

There are plenty of caveats and the potential it doesn't actually happen, though.

Scherzer hasn't reported to Nationals Park yet today. He was still sleeping this morning and hadn't spoken to Martinez yet. He intends to arrive at the ballpark later this afternoon, just like he would for a 7:05 p.m. game he's starting, at which point he'll be reevaluated and a final decision will be made.

Scherzer's right eye - the blue one - is now black, though his left eye - the brown one - was spared any discoloration. He wasn't having any trouble breathing Tuesday night, but that could change over time and appears to be the biggest potential stumbling block toward him pitching tonight.

"It all depends on the swelling," Martinez said. "He had a black eye. So if he wakes up and he's got swelling or he can't breathe ... when you're out there pitching, you've got to breathe. That's our big concern right now."

Martinez said Scherzer was wearing a splint over his nose Tuesday night, but it's possible he wouldn't need that to pitch tonight. The ace right-hander went so far as to mimic his throwing motion on front of his manager and prove he's OK to pitch.

"Yesterday he comes in my (office) and he emulated his whole what he does," Martinez said. "And he gave me that facial expression and said: 'I'm good to go.' Yeah, that's your facial expression. You're good."

If for some reason the Nationals decide Scherzer can't go tonight, they would start either Austin Voth (who was promoted from Triple-A Fresno to serve as the 26th man for both games of the doubleheader) or Erick Fedde (who was originally scheduled to start Tuesday) in the nightcap. Patrick Corbin, who has had to wait out back-to-back postponements, is starting today's 1:05 p.m. opener against the Phillies.

"We haven't determined (Voth or Fedde) yet," Martinez said. "Corbin's been waiting two days to pitch. He gets to pitch the first game, so let's get through that one first."

There is, of course, one more major caveat and potential stumbling block toward Scherzer actually pitching tonight: the weather. The forecast again calls for rain this evening. If there's a lengthy delay or another postponement, Scherzer may never get the chance to take the mound one day removed from a broken nose and instead have to wait until later in the week to pitch.