Rizzo confirms Strasburg "unlikely" to pitch in NLDS

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg is making steady progress as he recovers from right elbow soreness, but doesn't look like he will be available for the National League Division Series against the Dodgers, according to president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo.

"I think it would be kind of pushing it," Rizzo said of Strasburg's availability for the NLDS versus the Dodgers. "I think that's fair to say. I haven't seen him after he did his throwing program today. But with the calendar, it's unlikely that he will contribute in that first series."

Rizzo said Strasburg threw from 90 feet today.

Manager Dusty Baker said last night that right fielder Bryce Harper's X-rays on his thumb came back negative with no ligament damage. Rizzo said they will look to find a way to get Harper in some games before the regular season finale Sunday.

"Just getting him some reps and get him in games," Rizzo said. "He's been feeling really comfortable at the plate so we want to keep that feeling for him. Again the balance of getting his work in, keeping him sharp and getting him ready for the playoffs when they start."

Second baseman Daniel Murphy has been held out the last week with strained muscle in his buttocks.

"He's been running well," Rizzo said. "I'm not all that concerned about him. We still have some time to get him right. We'd like to see him in some games to keep him sharp and to be razor sharp when the playoffs start."

Rizzo says it's a delicate balance of getting playing time for regulars coming back from injury and not pushing it too much with the post season beginning October 7.

"You got to get them healthy, you got to keep them healthy and you get to get them sharp," Rizzo said. "These games still mean something to us. We're going to play each game to win. That's not to say that we are going to be careless with their health because we have bigger things in mind after the regular season.

"But there's a balance. There's nobody better to handle that ship than Dusty. He's been balancing playing the whole season and we feel great the decisions that he makes. Everybody is getting their reps, getting their work in. We hope to be hitting on all cylinders when the bell rings."