Williams reacts to good news on Span and bad news on Stammen

BOSTON - Nationals manager Matt Williams said right-hander Craig Stammen will undergo a MRI on his right forearm after experiencing stiffness that landed him on the 15-day disabled list.

"I won't know anything until we talk to the doctor and take some pictures of it," said Williams. "He never lets us know that anything is wrong with him because he is always feeling good. When he says, 'Hey, I'm sore,' we have to be concerned about that. So that's why we are putting him on the DL."

The Nats opted to recall right-hander Taylor Jordan from Triple-A Syracuse to join the bullpen. Jordan has only been used as a starter in his two trips to the big leagues with the Nats, where he holds a 1-6 record with a 4.31 ERA in 14 games. He came to spring training recovering from surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow, which bothered him for much of last season.

Williams was able to look at Jordan twice as a starter and three times out of the bullpen during Grapefruit League action, where he compiled a 3.00 ERA in 12 innings.

"The velocity was back up," said Williams. "Every time he got a chance to start games, it was good. When he came out of the bullpen, was good. So as long as he is healthy and feeling good, his stuff is really good. He had a little bit of fatigue last year. So far, the whole spring at the start of this year has been great."

In more positive injury news, center fielder Denard Span, who is on the 15-day disabled list following right core muscle surgery, successfully played seven innings in a minor league rehab assignment at Double-A Harrisburg last night. Williams said Span is at Nationals Park today for more batting practice. Williams expects Span to play nine innings tomorrow at low Single-A Hagerstown. It appears his return to the Nats is only days away.

"The good thing about Denard is that even though he hasn't played a bunch of games, he's been getting a lot of at-bats," said Williams. "We've set up simulated at-bats, so right now he's looking at 30-ish. So you look at that and that's halfway through spring training type of at-bats, although he hasn't played in that many games. He hasn't played in 15 games yet, but those at-bats are there. If his timing's good, if he feels good and if he's 100 percent healthy, then we'll make a decision. But he'll let us know that."

Finally, third baseman Yunel Escobar will make his second start at the top of the lineup for the Nats today. Williams has been impressed with what the versatility and work ethic that the nine-year veteran has brought to his ballclub. Escobar has hit in seven straight games, hitting .357 over that span.

"He's willing to do whatever it takes to help us win games," said Williams. "He's played second in spring training. We moved him to third. He's been great over there. He's hit at the top of our lineup because of need. And he's willing to do anything that anybody asks him to do to help us win, and you can't ask for anything more than that."