Scherzer on Roark, Baker on bullpen and minor league rainouts

Right-hander Max Scherzer is relieved that the knuckle injury he suffered at the end of last season is fully recovered and he is feeling 100 percent as he prepares to make his season debut tomorrow afternoon in Philadelphia.

Wednesday night, starter Tanner Roark (1-0) got roughed up early but managed to pitch six innings in a 6-4 win over the Marlins. It was only the third start for Roark with the Nationals since March 5 because of his involvement in the World Baseball Classic and Friday's exhibition rainout at Nats Park.

Scherzer was impressed with how Roark was able to settle down and win Wednesday after not pitching much this spring.

"He's another guy that didn't get a lot of reps in spring and didn't get a lot of innings and had to throw a sim game in the bullpen, which is probably one of the worst things you can possibly do," Scherzer said. "That is not fun. I have done that.

"Marlins have a heck of a lineup. They probably don't get as much ink as they should. They got quality at-bats up and down their lineup. That was a product of it. They were grinding his at-bats away. Really making him work. It was impressive to see Tanner be able to settle down, get some quick outs and still stay within the zone even when they were giving him their best shot. That he was able to withstand it and not let any one inning spiral out of control, that was impressive to watch last night."

* Manager Dusty Baker shed some light on the back end of the bullpen during pregame Thursday. He confirmed that even though closer Blake Treinen pitched in the first two games of the series, he still could go tonight if needed.

"Well, he's available," Baker said. "He's pitched two or three days when he wasn't a closer. Early in the season, your arm is not quite in the shape it's going to be in May or June. And then once you get innings on you, then you have to watch him again come August and September.

"We are not worried about that. He's pitched two games, but there was a day off in between. Plus, he didn't throw that many pitches. He'd be available today."

Baker would like to get Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover in a game as they are the only two bullpen arms who have not pitched this week.

"We got to find a way to get them in a game so they are not off too long," Baker said. "But it's great that we got Joe (Blanton) in there, we got Ollie (Pérez) in there, we got (Enny) Romero in there. It's great that we have that depth in the bullpen. But guys rust out before they wear out. So we don't want them to rust because they were kind of on a set program, they knew when they were going to pitch in spring training."

* The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs have postponed the first two games of the season today and tomorrow due to impending storms and the threat of rain in the Syracuse area.

Taylor Hill was scheduled for today's game and Joe Ross was slated to start Friday.

Saturday's game will remain as scheduled at 1:05 p.m., and will be the Chiefs home opener. Thursday's game will be made up on Sunday as part of a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 1:05 p.m. Friday's game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Friday, Aug. 4th, starting at 6:05 p.m.

No word yet on which game Ross will pitch this weekend.

The Double-A Harrisburg Senators' season opener vs. Altoona postponed. The game will be made up as a part of a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 6:05 p.m. Right-hander Erick Fedde is set to start the first game on Saturday.