Glover pays visit to Nats; Ross could pitch again tonight

MIAMI - Right-handed reliever Koda Glover was in the clubhouse at Marlins Park today and got the chance to work out with the Nationals as he rehabs from a right forearm strain.

Glover was already at his locker when the first team bus arrived before the game. He gave outfielder Michael A. Taylor a handshake and a big bear hug as his teammates made their way over to greet him.

"I can't get my grin off my face, like seeing my boy Joe (Ross) and some of the guys," Glover said. "It's awesome. You get stuck down there and it can kind of be like you are on an island sometimes, but it is what it is. I'm just trying to stay focused, get healthy and get back up here with these guys so I can help this team."

Manager Davey Martinez said the Nationals want Glover to return when he is 100 percent healthy because they believe he can be an impact arm in the bullpen.

"He's a part of our team. We wanted to bring him in, we're here," Martinez said. "He was in West Palm. Bring him up for the day, let him throw, catch up with the guys and see how he's doing. It was good to see him.

"With him, we want to be cautious. One of the biggest things is to be cautious, gradually get him ready to hopefully help us here in the near future.

"We communicate with him all the time. We want to make sure he knows that we still have a plan for him. We need him. Somewhere along the line, he's got to come back and pitch for us. We want to make sure he's 100 percent ready."

Glover detailed how much he is doing with his rehab work at the Nationals spring training facility. He has been on the injured list since March 25.

"It's good. We are progressing," Glover said. "They're doing a really good job with me. I have no complaints. Everything is feeling good. We are staying on course. We are still a couple of weeks ahead of schedule, so that's always good. Right now, it's just a time game."

Glover said the latest baseball related activity is long throws. The 26-yar-old Monroe, Okla., native is doing some long throwing as he works on building strength in the right forearm.

"We are out to 120 feet. 20 throws from 120 feet," Glover said. "It's coming out really good. They are still pulling on the reins a little bit, trying to take it slow. Progressing really well. I'm happy with everything."

* Martinez mentioned following Friday's game that he would consider using Ross again today if the need arises after the right-hander threw a pair of shutout innings in relief. The manager hadn't wavered from that prediction into today's pregame media session.

"I'm going to talk to Joe. He probably went out and threw, make my rounds and see how he's doing," Martinez said. "It's a good possibility. Maybe not as long today if he can, maybe one or two hitters if we need him. If he could do it, I said yesterday I have to look at him more as a regular reliever and not just a long man and see what he can do."

Martinez also said he will not shy away from using right-hander Austin Adams tonight. Adams arrived Friday morning on a redeye from Triple-A Fresno.

* The Marlins' Jose Ureña has won two games in a row against the Nationals, including a 12-1 win here late last season. He is 3-2 with a 3.53 ERA in 11 games (five starts) with 30 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings versus the Nats in his career. Martinez said the Nationals have to be smart about their swing choices tonight against the talented right-hander.

"I think we got to be patient and swing at strikes," Martinez said. "He could be really good. He throws upper 90s mph, has a really good changeup, really good slider. We just got to be patient and get good pitches to hit, and when you get a pitch to hit, you can't miss it. He's not going to give you many. So we got to be prepared when he throws a ball you think you can hit, put it in play."

* The Marlins Park roof is open for the first time in the series against the Nats. Miami had the roof open for its entire series against the Cubs from Monday through Wednesday. The last time the Nats played at Marlins Park when the roof was open was April 16-17, 2013. The Nats are 34-32 at Marlins Park. The Marlins are 3-6 this season with the roof open.