Baker on lineup and when to rest regulars, plus Belisle update

MIAMI - Manager Dusty Baker had already decided to rest Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman for tonight's game against the Marlins because he knew he wouldn't have much chance to rest them during the upcoming homestand.

"I had it planned in advance because the amount of games that we're going to be playing, the late get-in," Baker said. "Everything contributed to this (lineup). I always believe you take your shot all at once. A lot of times, your shock troops actually sometimes come out better than our regular because we weren't having much success with (Jose) Fernandez anyway. He probably knows less about some of these guys than he did the guys that I have out of the lineup.

"Then we have a day game tomorrow. And then we got like 10 more games after this in a row. Like I said the second night after (you're up late), this is the worst night. Things pointed towards doing it today."

With two big regulars out tonight, how far away are we from seeing Daniel Murphy or even Bryce Harper get a day off? Baker said there are not many opportunities to rest those guys before the next scheduled off-day on June 1.

"I talked to Murphy yesterday," Baker said. "I asked him did he need one off and he said, 'Not yet.' I was looking for days off for Bryce, as well. You hate to have guys miss games at home in front of the home fans. I'd rather do it on the road. What makes it tough is not having a right-handed infielder because my other infielder is left-handed, as well. It will probably be one of the games against the Cardinals.

Fernandez has been tough at home and overall against the Nationals. He is 20-1 at Marlins Park and is 5-0 against the Nationals in his career. Fernandez has already defeated the Nationals twice this season.

What's the solution against such a dominant pitcher?

"You got to get to him in the few opportunities that you have to get to him because you are not going to have a whole bunch of opportunities," Baker said. "And you're probably not going to have a back-to-back-to-back ... rally.

"You hope that he walks a couple of guys, maybe somebody pops one. One of the keys against him is to pitch a good game against him because last time we helped him with balls in the sun and that's all he needed. When you're facing him you can't give away runs."

Baker confirmed that Matt Belisle will start a rehab assignment on Monday at Single-A Potomac. Belisle has been on the disabled list since April 27 with a right calf strain.

"He was lobbying to just join the team, but we thought it would be better that he go out and be ready when we are going to need him. He's been working hard. He's sold on our training staff and physical fitness. He said this is the best staff that he has been around."

Baker was asked if he set up Joe Ross to pitch tonight on his birthday.

"I sure did. Thank you. I didn't have much to do with that," Baker laughed.

Baker said he predicted to Jayson Werth last night on his 37th birthday that he would hit a home run.

"(He) almost hit one out yesterday," Baker said. "I said, 'Dang! I would've been right again!' "