Miller to IL, Rainey recalled; Robles available to pinch-hit

The Nationals have recalled right-hander Tanner Rainey from Triple-A Fresno and placed right-hander Justin Miller on the 10-day injured list with a right rotator cuff strain. Rainey arrived from Fresno approximately 2 1/2 hours before the Nationals are to take on the Chicago Cubs in game two of their three-game weekend set.

The 26-year-old has not allowed an earned run in his last seven appearances out of the Grizzlies bullpen. "He's been pitching well. He's going to help us in the bullpen," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez. "He's got a live fastball. His slider towards the end of spring training was really, really good. He continued to progress into (regular season) play this year and has been pitching well."

The Nationals bullpen was roughed up Friday night to the tune of 11 runs on 12 hits allowed in the final three innings. Martinez was asked how his meetings with general manager Mike Rizzo go when they speak about improving the club and eradicating weaknesses that are slowing the team down.

"As you know, Riz and I talk every day, a lot," Martinez said. "We talk about different scenarios. Like I said before, right now I believe in the guys we got down there. I know what they can do. I have seen all these guys have success. They just have to get consistent. That's the biggest thing. They have to throw strikes and they have to get consistent. And I'm speaking as a whole. If we can get the ball to (Sean) Doolittle we are going to be in great shape."

But Martinez doesn't want to burn out Doolittle early on. He threw 45 pitches in the last two games of the Mets series, so the closer was unavailable in Friday's loss to the Cubs. "Yesterday, obviously, he wasn't available," Martinez said. "Hopefully today, I haven't spoken to him yet, but as soon as he goes out to throw he will let me know. Hopefully, he's good to go today."

* Center fielder Victor Robles left the game after getting hit by a pitch in the third inning off of Cubs starter Cole Hamels. Martinez said Robles does not have to join Miller on the injured list, but he will not start tonight's game two.

"Victor is a little sore today, but he should be available for at least a pinch-hit or pinch-run or something," Martinez said. "He swung a little bit today and said he was sore, so I couldn't put him out there taking a bunch of swings. Just let him get treatment and be available to come off the bench. X-rays are negative, just a bruise. I think he's going to be fine. He's got pretty good strength. It's just when he gets full extension, it bothers him a little bit."

* Martinez explained the reasoning behind putting Trea Turner in the leadoff spot and having Adam Eaton batting second. In spring training, Martinez tended to have the duo flipped at the top of the batting order: "Facing (Jon) Lester one, so Trea gets on, I like that hole open for Adam Eaton."

* Martinez confirmed that right-hander Erick Fedde will get the start in Aníbal Sánchez's spot Tuesday night against the Mets in New York. Fedde has made five appearances for the Nats so far this season. This will be his first major league start since Sept. 30 at Denver against the Rockies to end last season. Sánchez is on the injured list with a hamstring injury. Fedde made 11 starts for the Nats last season and has a 3.38 ERA out of the 'pen to begin this season.

"Yeah, (Fedde's) not available in the bullpen," Martinez said. "(Kyle) McGowin will actually be the long man. (Sánchez) is good. It's just a mild strain, so hopefully it will be a day-to-day thing and he'll miss a start, obviously. Hopefully, we'll get him back here soon."

* First baseman Ryan Zimmerman took in early swings during batting practice. Martinez hopes he can begin running starting tomorrow. Reliever Trevor Rosenthal has returned to the clubhouse and hopes to have a bullpen session Sunday.