Rizzo: Harper could still play in postseason for Harrisburg

Quick news and notes from Nationals Park.... Nationals first baseman Chris Marrero said he is hoping to play in the Dominican league for winter ball. Last year, he played in Puerto Rico. He said it has always been important for him to face top flight challenges in off season to maintain his consistency at the plate and in the field. Marrero says he thinks Syracuse catcher and former teammate Jhonatan Solano is likely to join him in the Dominican, and there is potential for other teammates to join him as well. Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty said last night's starter, Tom Milone, has to "learn the hitters a little bit. He will learn them. He has to stay in his game plan, move the ball in and out, both sides of the plate. He got a little one sided against (Nick) Evans so that is part of the learning process for him. So next time out plus the pressure of it not being your first start, I think he will be a little bit more comfortable." Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said outfielder Bryce Harper is coming along well from his Grade 1 hamstring injury and could still play in the postseason for Double-A Harrisburg. Rizzo emphasized that they want to make sure Harper is completely healthy and won't play him until he is. Harper is still on schedule to return for the start of Arizona Fall league if he doesn't play in the Senators' postseason run. Nationals reliever Doug Slaten will work out with a small group of buddies who have major league experience in the off season and is considering hiring a personal trainer to mix work outs up a bit as he heads into the off season. This is the fifth time this season Jayson Werth is batting cleanup for the Nationals and the first time since May 22 at Baltimore. He is batting .333 (5-for-15) with three runs, five hits, one double, two homers and four RBIs batting fourth and this marks second game this season he has batted cleanup against the Mets. Saturday night's comeback win for the Nationals was the fourth win by the team in 65 games this season when trailing after eight innings.