Strasburg set for rehab start Tuesday night for P-Nats at Lynchburg

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said right-hander Stephen Strasburg's minor league rehab start will be Tuesday night for high Single-A Potomac. With Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse off, that start will be in Lynchburg, Va., as the P-Nats go on the road at Calvin Falwell Field.

"Yeah, as of right now, he says he feels pretty good, so he is scheduled for Tuesday to go out on a rehab assignment and then we'll see what happens after that," Martinez said. "So that's encouraging. We'd like to get him close to maybe between 50 or 60 (pitches), depending on how he feels. We will see where he is at."

If all goes well for Strasburg in that start, Martinez envisions one more rehab outing for the right-hander before his likely return after the All-Star break.

Catcher Matt Wieters is set to play tonight for Harrisburg as he kicks off his rehab assignment at Bowie.

"He's going to hopefully catch seven innings today and see how he feels," Martinez said. "Possibly catch six or seven innings tomorrow and then we'll re-evaluate where he's at."

Martinez said there is no panic over Daniel Murphy getting another game off; it is just rest and the Nationals remain cautious with his knee.

"We go through this whole thing with him," Martinez said. "Give him two days, let him come off the bench again. And then hopefully he's ready to go tomorrow and we could ride this thing out to the All-Star break."

First baseman Ryan Zimmerman went through normal batting practice prior to Saturday's game against the Marlins, taking grounders in the infield and hitting. Martinez said this week he was hopeful that Zimmerman could start a rehab assignment later in the week. Harrisburg and Syracuse both return to play Thursday night. Harrisburg hosts Hartford, while Syracuse is at Pawtucket.

* The Nats employed four relievers Friday night after logging five innings from their bullpen Thursday night. Martinez said they hope to get the bullpen some rest tonight.

"Just remember we have Max (Scherzer) ... on the mound. That's always good," Martinez said. "These guys will go out and throw. But I'm sure some of them will be down, so we'll see."