Nats Notes: Wednesday starter, Span, Rendon, Giolito and bullpen

Nationals manager Matt Williams has an option to bring up a 26th player for Game 2 today against the Blue Jays.

Williams said they have not announced the possible, and if they do add to the roster, they will make the move after Game 1.

He also confirmed there was no thought to adding a starting pitcher for today's Game 2. They don't want to alter Jordan Zimmermann and Max Scherzer's start schedule today.

"No, both the starters are on regular rest," Williams said. "We want to keep them in that regard. You start moving guys around too much, especially these two guys, they've been pitching well for us. That regular rest is important for them."

Williams also wants to wait until after today's doubleheader before announcing Wednesday's starter. He said Taylor Jordan is getting consideration for the role.

* Williams said Denard Span (sore right knee) will sit out Game 1, the same plan they had for the center fielder before last night's scheduled game. Span might be able to play in the nightcap.

"He'll be here, get some more treatment, we'll see how he is for Game 2," Williams said. "Good treatment yesterday, in fact we had a day off allowed him to do nothing yesterday and treat it, was good. That's about the only thing good about a rainout. So we'll see how he is for Game 2."

Williams said an MRI on Span's knee showed no major issues.

"He had a picture taken of it," Williams said. "He banged it, so there's some swelling in there. Trying to get that out of there as quickly as possible. Just makes it sore it."

Williams confirmed that infielder Anthony Rendon (oblique strain) is scheduled to play second base for Double-A Harrisburg again tonight. Rendon worked out at Nats Park yesterday. The Senators host Akron tonight.

"He's scheduled to play nine again," Williams said. "Came out of the last one fine. Depending on rain and how the weather is then, he's scheduled for that today."

Williams would not place a return date on Rendon's rehab schedule, but said the news is positive on the infielder's work to get back to the team this week.

"I think he's making good progress," Williams said. "The fact that he's played those games and had no issue. Had a really good work day, we were fortunate to get his work done yesterday before the rain came. Had no problem with it and was eager to get back is a good sign. The fact that he's feeling good is a positive for us."

Williams also said the rainout provided a welcome rest day for the bullpen, which got knocked around in Cincinnati over the weekend. Everyone in the pen is ready to go.

"Good. We're fresh, guys are fresh in the bullpen, with the off-day yesterday, so not an issue there," Williams said. "Hopefully we won't need that but with the two guys we have going today. They've been pitching well, and there's no reason to think that they wouldn't continue to do so. We're fully fresh in the bullpen."

* Nationals top prospect right-hander Lucas Giolito made his fifth start for high Single-A Potomac on Monday night, pitching five scoreless innings. He gave up two hits and two walks, and struck out night. Giolito is averaging 7.6 strikeouts per start for the P-Nats. His ERA is now 3.95.