Zimmerman, Espinosa out as Nats face Mets

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

April 19, 2013, 11:13am

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The Nationals continue their road trip after a day off Thursday. Tonight it is the beginning of 17 games in 17 days with game one against the New York Mets at Citi Field. The pitching matchup features a gem with right-hander Stephen Strasburg (1-2, 2.95 ERA) facing right-hander Matt Harvey (3-0, 0.82 ERA). The big news is Ryan Zimmerman is out of the lineup. Manager Davey Johnson had talked about Zimmerman's sore hamstring after Wednesday's win over Miami. Second baseman Danny Espinosa is also out of the lineup again. Friday's lineup features the return of Denard Span, who missed two games in South Florida due to sickness. Here are the lineups: Nationals Denard Span, CF Jayson Werth, RF Bryce Harper, LF Adam LaRoche, 1B Ian Desmond, SS Chad Tracy, 3B Steve Lombardozzi, 2B Kurt Suzuki, C Stephen Strasburg, RHP Mets Jordany Valdespin, CF Daniel Murphy, 2B David Wright, 3B Ike Davis, 1B John Buck, C Lucas Duda, LF Marlon Byrd, RF Ruben Tejada, SS Matt Harvey, RHP If Duda can't play tonight, Mike Baxter will get the call, according to media reports.