Turner takes grounders during BP; Hellickson fully healthy after strong spring

Shortstop Trea Turner had his workout gear, glove and baseball cleats on for batting practice Wednesday prior to the Nationals' game with the Giants at Nats Park.

Turner fielded grounders at shortstop, but did not throw the ball. He had no wrap or tape bandaging on his broken right finger prior to heading to the field.

"He's actually keeping his legs in shape," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez. "He's doing everything he possibly can without using his index finger. That's where we are at right now. There's still no timetable for him, but he's keeping the rest of his body in great shape, so that when he's able to baseball related activity he's pretty much ready to go."

Turner has missed 11 games with the broken right index finger. He has officially been on the injured list since April 3. Last season, Matt Adams returned from a broken finger after three weeks, but that injury was on his non-throwing hand. General manager Mike Rizzo and Martinez said they felt Turner's injury would take longer to recover because it was on his throwing hand.

"As far as the medical standpoint, I really don't know the answer to that, but it's his throwing finger, so that's going to be the last thing that he really has to do," said Martinez. "He's got to throw it across the diamond, he plays the middle of the field, so once he gets over that hump, we will be good to go."

* Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson has a 2-2 record with a 3.29 ERA in five career starts against San Francisco. Tonight will mark the 21st start for the 31-year-old Hellickson as a member of the Nationals after time with the Rays, Diamondbacks, Phillies and Orioles from 2010-2017.

Hellickson is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two games (one start) this season. Martinez said Hellickson was at full strength in spring training and that helped him get going quickly to begin this season.

"He's really been unbelievable since he's been here and he feels really good," Martinez said. "The biggest thing that him and I talk about is him having a full spring training this year as opposed to last year. In his career, he's done multiple things. He just wants the ball, wants to pitch and he keeps us in ball games. That's all we can ask."