Soto remains out of lineup, Thursday's starter still TBD

PHILADELPHIA – Though he was able to pinch-hit late in Monday’s loss to the Marlins and bring the Nationals Park crowd to its feet just by drawing a four-pitch walk, Juan Soto is not ready to return to the lineup quite yet.

Soto, who has been dealing with a tight left calf muscle since Sunday, still hasn’t been cleared to run. So he’s sitting out tonight’s series opener against the Phillies, with the possibility again he’ll come off the bench at some point if the situation calls for it.

“After talking to him last night, he felt better but it’s still sore,” manager Davey Martinez said. “So I didn’t want to chance it. We’ll let him try to get better. We’ll see where he’s at. I know he’s going to take some swings later on, and we’ll see what’s going on. But I just wanted to give him another day, and hopefully tomorrow he can get back. We’ll do some running drills with him and see how he feels.”

Despite some initial fear the injury was serious, Soto was relieved to learn Sunday night an MRI showed no strain of the muscle. He figured it would be a day-to-day process to return to play, but after taking swings in the cage during Monday’s game he confirmed he felt well enough to pinch-hit.

The crowd roared with anticipation as Soto emerged from the dugout to pinch-hit for Victor Robles with two on and one out in the eighth inning of a 1-1 game. He then drew a four-pitch walk off Zach Pop, shuffling after a couple pitches and staring down the Marlins reliever following ball four.

Alcides Escobar then pinch-ran for Soto once he reached first base, removing any question about Soto’s ability to run at full speed. Lane Thomas is again starting in right field in his place tonight.

* The Nationals are still deciding who will start Thursday’s series finale, taking the spot of injured rookie Jackson Tetreault.

Their options are limited. Both Aníbal Sánchez and Josh Rogers are currently rehabbing from injuries, and Sánchez (who started for Triple-A Rochester on Sunday) is off-schedule to pitch again Thursday. Rogers has gone to Double-A Harrisburg to start Wednesday, and though it’s possible the club could cancel that rehab assignment and bring the lefty to Philadelphia instead, Martinez didn’t sound inclined to do that.

“We sent him out to make that rehab start. We’re going to talk about it a little bit later on,” the manager said. “I would like him to go back and get another start, but we’ll see where we’re at.”

Joan Adon would seem to be an option, but he hasn’t pitched for Rochester since June 22 when he allowed one unearned run over five innings.

Top prospect Cade Cavalli last pitched Wednesday for Rochester, allowing three runs in three innings while throwing 77 pitches.

* Sean Doolittle traveled with the team and played catch off the mound at Citizens Bank Park this afternoon, his final step before throwing an official bullpen session Thursday.

Doolittle, out since early April with a left elbow sprain, has been pleased with his progress in recent weeks, believing the platelet-rich plasma injection he received has helped him recover.

* The Phillies claimed Sam Clay off waivers today and optioned the left-hander to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Clay had been designated for assignment by the Nationals last week.