Thames, Robles will return to DH on Saturday (Nats fall 7-3)

JUPITER, Fla. - The Nationals will get two big bats back in their lineup Saturday.

Eric Thames and Victor Robles each are scheduled to return from minor injuries, each serving as designated hitter for the Nats' split-squad games (home versus the Marlins, away against the Mets), according to manager Davey Martinez.

Thames hasn't played since Feb. 25 due to left calf tightness, but he has slowly been ramping up activities in recent days and has been cleared to return to the lineup. The big slugger, who signed a $4 million deal as a free agent over the winter, will get several at-bats Saturday. After that, the club will decide if he's ready to play first base in the coming days.

Robles hasn't played since Feb. 26, when he hurt his right side making an awkward throw from center field to third base during the Nationals' rain-shortened game against the Yankees in Tampa. The young outfielder tried to push himself to return to action quicker, but the Nationals training staff and Martinez made sure he took things a bit slower to avoid risking a more serious injury.

With Thames and Robles set to return, the Nats' lone position player working back from injury now is Adam Eaton, who tweaked his hamstring during Tuesday's game.

The lone pitcher still waiting to return to the mound is Will Harris, but the veteran reliever who has been dealing with an abdominal strain took an important step in his recovery today when he pitched two simulated innings off the bullpen mound. Harris threw 20 pitches (not at full velocity), then took the equivalent of an inning break before retaking the mound to throw another 20 pitches.

The Nationals will see how Harris feels Saturday before deciding if he's ready to pitch in a game or if he still needs more time.

Saturday's split-squad games also gives the Nats a chance to see two of their top contenders for the No. 5 starter's job on the same day. Joe Ross will start against the Marlins at home, with Austin Voth making the trip to Port St. Lucie to face the Mets.

Ross is making his third start of the spring, having impressed in his previous outings (five scoreless innings of one-hit ball). Voth is making his second start, his third overall appearance, having allowed one run on three hits over four innings.

For what it's worth, Martinez said he specifically wanted to keep Ross in West Palm Beach so he could watch the right-hander in person, perhaps a hint about the state of this competition.

Martinez did say a final decision on the No. 5 starter won't be made for some time. It's even possible it won't been announced before opening day, because with early off days the club could make both Ross and Voth available out of the bullpen before the fifth starter is actually needed.

Update: The Nationals got a really solid start out of Aníbal Sánchez against the Marlins tonight. The veteran right-hander went four scoreless innings, allowing only one hit without issuing any walks (he did hit one batter). Sánchez threw 50 pitches and even topped out at 91 mph. All in all, a very strong outing. And he departed with a 3-0 lead thanks to a fourth-inning rally by his teammates. Jake Noll delivered a two-run, bases-loaded single to get them on the board. JB Shuck then followed with a sacrifice fly to extend the lead.

Update II: A pair of Nationals relievers have surrendered a pair of two-run homers. Hunter Strickland gave up the first one, to Chad Wallach in the bottom of the fifth. James Bourque gave up the second one, to Lewis Brinson in the bottom of the sixth. That leaves the Nats in a 4-3 hole.

Update III: Make it 7-3 Marlins after Austen Williams was charged with three runs in the bottom of the seventh. It's been a rough evening for Nats relievers.

Update IV: The Marlins won 7-3. More from the Nationals clubhouse shortly.