Span continues stunning defense and Ross set for debut (with lineups)

Denard Span leads the Nationals into today's early afternoon game against the Cubs. Despite recovering from two offseason abdominal surgeries and currently dealing with a sore right knee, Span continues to play defense at the highest level.

With the Nats clinging a two-run lead in the eighth inning last night, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo blasted a sinker from right-hander Blake Treinen the opposite way to deep left-center field. Span, who was shading the left-handed Rizzo to pull, sprinted hard in pursuit before leaping up to snatch the ball while crashing into the wall.

"I thought it was gone off the bat and I was just mad at myself for not getting the ball down and in enough," Treinen said. "But I turn around and watch it and he's tracking it and ends up making the catch. Just wow! Unbelievable."

Michael A. Taylor has made his fair share of stunning plays early in his career including a show-stopping catch against the Cubs last week at Wrigley Field. But, the rookie continues to be in awe of the 31-year-old veteran Span.

"It's pretty incredible," Taylor said. "I don't think people realize how difficult it is to run full speed, know where you're at on the field and the jump as high as he did while going full speed. It's a pretty special play."

A reporter after the game asked Span if he's just come to expect those types of jaw-dropping plays.

"That's not routine. That's not routine," Span said laughing. "Just a good effort. There's no better feeling than to make a play like that especially late in the game and help us win a ballgame. It's better than getting a hit, I can say that. Not a home run, but a hit."

22-year-old right-hander Joe Ross is set to make his major league debut against the Cubs at Nats Park. The Nats decided to jump Ross straight from Double-A Harrisburg to the big leagues to make today's start. When Ross showed up in the clubhouse, he found his locker sandwiched in between Max Scherzer's and Jordan Zimmermann's.

"They don't put too much pressure on him," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "For the first one, they just support him and let him know everybody's behind him and let him go out there and get the nerves out first and then go to work."

To make room for Ross, the Nationals optioned right-hander A.J. Cole back to Triple-A Syracuse.

Williams indicated that Stephen Strasburg was able to throw his complete repertoire in a 30-pitch bullpen session this morning. The right-hander is pain free and will be evaluated later today.

Yunel Escobar remains out of the lineup today dealing with his sore right wrist. Williams said Escobar was available to play defense last night and doesn't see Escobar having to make a trip to the disabled list.

For the Cubs:

CF Dexter Fowler
1B Anthony Rizzo
3B Kris Bryant
C Miguel Montero
RF Junior Lake
LF Chris Coghlan
2B Jonathan Herrera
RHP Jason Hammel
SS Addison Russell

For the Nats:

CF Denard Span
1B Ryan Zimmerman
RF Bryce Harper
3B Anthony Rendon
C Wilson Ramos
LF Clint Robinson
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
RHP Joe Ross