Williams: Fister set to throw Sunday, Gonzalez under the weather

This afternoon, manager Matt Williams said right-hander Doug Fister is doing well in his rehabilitation from a right lat strain. Fister has been on the disabled list since March 23.

Williams said Fister did "heavy exercise" today and felt no issues with the lat. The Nationals manager expects Fister to get back to baseball-related activities as early as Sunday.

"We look to get him out there throwing, the plan is tomorrow, depending on how he feels, but in the next couple of days, anyway, so it is good," Williams said.

"I think he is a little bit ahead of the game. It is not like it is four months of not (throwing). But in that regard, there (are) pitchers during the winter throwing as well. I mean, they are doing bullpens in January. So we will just have to se where he is at."

Williams said it's a good sign that Fister has been tested in conditioning drills and has shown no relapses with the lat strain that slowed him late in spring training.

"Through exercise, he feels pretty good," Williams confirmed. "Again, the test is going to be throwing and extending. In a controlled environment, you can do a lot. But when he gets out there and throws a ball and wants to let it go a little bit, that is the determining factor probably. But so far, so good."

Williams said left-hander Gio Gonzalez is a little under the weather. Jordan Zimmermann, who was scratched from his start Thursday and then pitched the home opener yesterday, looks good today. But Gonzalez now looks like he might have picked up the bug that has been bouncing around the clubhouse.

"Gio is feeling not good," Williams said. "It is running around on us, but Gio will see the doc when he gets in. He will see the doctor first."

Gonzalez most likely will head home to rest after seeing the team physician. No sign that it will affect his scheduled start on Tuesday night against the Marlins.