Baker: Harper, Murphy and Strasburg updates all positive

Nationals manager Dusty Baker said second baseman Daniel Murphy (strained left buttocks) is make very good progress in his hopes to get back to close to 100 percent for the postseason.

Baker said Murphy could even pinch-hit in one of the few regular season games remaining prior to the Dodgers series next week in the National League Division Series. And he plans to get Murphy into a practice game next week.

"He's better. He's getting better big-time," Baker said. "I talked to him today, first time I've talked to him in three, four days because I don't want to keep bugging him every day. But he says he's doing much better. We're shooting for him to be ready on the seventh. He might get a pinch-hit, but I don't want to take him backwards. We'll probably have an intrasquad game or something to get him some live pitching.

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg continues his throwing program. Baker remains optimistic regarding Strasburg (right elbow soreness), even though the flamethrower "unlikely" for the NLDS.

"We're hoping that we get him back, but we're planning not have him back, so we're pleasantly surprised, not disappointed," Baker said. "Without putting pressure on him to come back because he has a long career ahead of him. I purposefully have not asked him how he's feeling, because I don't want to put that kind of pressure on him. But it's good to hear that he's throwing."

Baker says right fielder Bryce Harper (thumb) could play today but he will still hold him out for a couple of reasons.

"He's feeling better. And I talked to him today," said the manager. "Being wet out is one of the factors. The fact that L.A. lost last night is another factor. And another factor is every day you give that finger some healing time, that's one day. I'm still a little afraid. If he hits the ball solid, it's not going to hurt. But if he gets rattled or hits one on the end or gets jammed on one, it's going to send electric shocks through his body.

"Plus we got the pitcher today throws. I mean, Robbie Ray throws real good. I'd rather bring him back against somebody that doesn't throw as hard as Robbie Ray."