Promising updates for Strasburg, Zimmerman (Red Sox win 11-4)

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said right-hander Stephen Strasburg had a solid bullpen session before today's game against the Red Sox. Strasburg is rehabbing from right shoulder inflammation that landed him on the disabled list.

"He threw really well, around 60 pitches," Martinez said. "I think the next step will be to get him a sim game, sometime maybe this weekend. But we will see how he feels tomorrow."

First baseman Ryan Zimmerman, also on the DL, continues rehab and core exercises as he recovers from a right oblique strain. Martinez hinted that Zimmerman could get into minor league rehab games this weekend.

"He's progressing really well," Martinez said. "We are talking about sending him out on a rehab assignment here soon. Hopefully by this weekend, as well."

Has there been another injury that has cropped up as Zimmerman recovers?

"It's always been his oblique," Martinez said. "Those things could linger for a while. Just want to make sure that he is right this time. We haven't had him fully healthy all year so we want him healthy and ready to go this second half."

The Nats' other first baseman on the disabled list, Matt Adams, is playing for Double-A Harrisburg tonight against Richmond. It is his first rehab game as he recovers from a fractured left index finger. Martinez said Monday that Adams has a chance of returning to the 25-man roster tomorrow.

Martinez also said that Adam Eaton has the day off and will be in the lineup for the 11 a.m. series finale tomorrow.

Update: Tanner Roark had an easy first inning, retiriing the Red Sox in order. But in the second inning, Mitch Moreland and Xander Bogaerts singled. Later, Eduardo Núñez crushed a three-run shot, his sixth of the season. For the second game in a row, the Nats face an early three-run deficit.

Mid-second, the Red Sox lead the Nats 3-0.

Update II: Bryce Harper doubled off the right-center field wall in the fourth. Mark Reynolds and Roark provided run-scoring singles to get the Nats on the board.

After four innings, the Red Sox lead the Nats 3-2.

Update III: The Red Sox added six runs in the fifth, highlighted by Bogaerts' three-run shot and a J.D. Martinez two-run single.

Mid-fifth, the Red Sox lead 9-2.

Update IV: Pedro Severino hit a solo homer to center field in the sixth, his first homer since Sept. 26, 2016. Roark went seven innings to help the bullpen, allowing nine runs on 10 hits with two walks, four strikeouts and one wild pitch. He threw 98 pitches, 66 for strikes.

After seven, the Red Sox lead 9-3.

Update V: Martinez launched a two-run shot in the ninth off of reliever Matt Grace.

Mid-ninth, the Red Sox lead 11-3.

Update VI: Brian Goodwin hit a solo homer in the ninth.

Final score Red Sox 11, Nats 4. The Nats have lost nine of 11 games and are now 42-42.