Williams with latest on Harper, Span and Escobar (game postponed)

PHILADELPHIA - Nationals manager Matt Williams must have felt like he was filling out a Grapefruit League road game lineup earlier this afternoon. Ian Desmond is the only Nationals everyday starter playing as Williams will be without injured stars Bryce Harper, Denard Span and Yunel Escobar. Not to mention that Wilson Ramos is resting after catching the last four games and, of course, Anthony Rendon (left quad strain), Jayson Werth (left hand fracture) and Ryan Zimmerman (plantar fasciitis) are all on the 15-day disabled list.

Harper tested his tight right hamstring before the game, but the Nationals continue the cautious approach with their young slugger especially with a wet field today.

"He's making progress," Williams said. "He felt better yesterday than he did the day before."

Escobar's left hand was still swollen when he showed up at Citizens Bank Park this morning leaving him unable to play today. X-rays taken last night were negative and Williams indicated that he doesn't anticipate that an MRI will be needed unless the hand remains sore.

"If the swelling goes down and he's got some function and feels better, then we don't necessarily go there unless he doesn't feel well," Williams said.

Span continues to battle back spasms that first flared up on June 7. Friday night, Span said he felt that two off-season procedures - hernia surgery in December and core muscle surgery in March - have led to the reoccurring discomfort.

"With two abdominal surgeries, there's changes," Williams said. "It happens when you have surgery. Hopefully, he gets to the point where it doesn't happen anymore. So we'll just continue to work on his strengthening, his core strengthening, his flexibility and try to keep him away from these little spasms he has from time to time."

Even though Williams was left with using Doug Fister to pinch-hit last night, he said he doesn't anticipate the Nationals having to make any further roster moves even with so many starters out.

"As of today, no," Williams said. "I think we're OK. Both Harp and Spanny are day-to-day, so it's not like there's a long term issue with either one of them."

The Nationals have persevered through all the medical hiccups to win a season-high seven straight games while remaining in first place of the National League East by 3 1/2 games.

"With the current state of our club, I don't get a whole lot of enjoyment out of most things right now," Williams said. "I enjoy winning and the fact that the guys that our not our regular guys that are in the lineup are doing well and we've been able to win some games, that's enjoyable. It's stressful when you have to see if we can get guys going for the game."

Update: The game entered a rain delay midway through the second inning with the Nationals and Phillies scoreless.

Michael A. Taylor singled to lead off the game, but was stranded. Jose Lobaton and Matt den Dekker both connected on two-out base knocks in the second before Gio Gonzalez struck out to end the frame.

Ben Revere opened the day for the Phillies with a single and eventually advanced to third, but some stellar defense from Ian Desmond and Tyler Moore helped Gonzalez out of the first.

Update II: Today's game has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a true doubleheader tomorrow with the first game beginning 1:05 p.m. on MASN.