Turner and Rosenthal head back out to rehab assignments

Reliever Trevor Rosenthal and shortstop Trea Turner were both in the clubhouse pregame. But both are headed back out to continue their rehab assignments.

Rosenthal has returned to full health from a viral infection but continues to rehab as the Nationals focus on his mechanics. Turner has been out since April 3 with a broken right index finger.

Turner headed back to Woodbridge, Va., to play for the high Single-A Potomac Nationals today. They face Down East tonight at Pfitzner Stadium as the P-Nats continue an eight-game homestand.

Turner went 1-for-4 with a single and two strikeouts last night for the P-Nats in 3-1 loss. He did turn a 6-4-3 double play on defense.

"Very encouraging. He got four at-bats, played nine innings," Nationals manager Davey Martinez said. "I saw he made an unbelievable play. But he still needs time. He said his timing is a little off but he felt better as his at-bats went on. Just getting him on his feet, says he feels good today. Now it's just a matter of time, getting his reps in and playing. He's scheduled to play again. We'll see how long he plays, and how he does."

Rosenthal said he is expecting to ramp up his rehab with back-to-back games for Double-A Harrisburg Thursday and Friday in Altoona, Pa.

"I haven't talked to him yet, but I will," Martinez said of Rosenthal. "He's coming along (as) he is continuing to get his reps in."

Is there any possibility that Turner will be activated this weekend against the Cubs?

"We'll see how it progresses," Martinez said. "It's a matter of how Trea feels. He hasn't played two days in a row. So, he might be sore the third day. We don't know that, so we'll see how it goes."

First baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who went on the injured list April 28 with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, engaged in light baseball activities but did not take swings in batting practice.