Nationals at Padres
THE STORY: The Anthony Rizzo era begins in San Diego on Thursday when the Padres face the visiting Washington Nationals in the start of a four-game series. The Padres’ top prospect will be making his major league debut against Livan Hernandez, who has pitched in the majors since 1996. The Nationals are 3-4 on their three-city, 11-game road trip after falling 3-1 in San Francisco on Wednesday.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, MASN, Channel 4SD
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals’ RHP Livan Hernandez (3-7, 3.76 ERA) at Padres’ RHP Aaron Harang (6-2, 3.77 ERA)
Hernandez allowed two runs on four hits while walking four and striking out three over seven innings last Saturday against the Diamondbacks. He is 12-7 with a 4.48 ERA in 28 career starts against the Padres and 0-5 with a 5.44 ERA over eight starts at Petco Park.
Harang gave up two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out three over six innings last Saturday against the Astros. He is 1-0 with a 1.63 ERA in his last four starts. Harang is 0-2 with a 4.05 ERA in six career starts against the Nationals.
ABOUT THE NATIONALS (27-35): With the Nationals playing in San Francisco earlier this week, there was plenty of speculation about the Giants trading for one of Washington’s catchers. It doesn’t appear to be a perfect fit, however. The Nationals have reportedly placed a high price tag on Ivan Rodriguez, who has thrown out 6-of-16 base runners. Washington appears reluctant to deal Wilson Ramos, who came over last year in the Matt Capps trade. Ramos has thrown out a major-league best 48 percent (11-of-23) base runners. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (torn abdominal muscle) continued his rehab assignment Wednesday in Single-A Potomac, where he played seven innings. Zimmerman could rejoin the Nationals this weekend, but it’s more likely that he’ll wait until the Nationals return home on Tuesday. Jayson Werth (ankle) expects to return to the starting lineup on Thursday after missing two games.
ABOUT THE PADRES (28-35): The wait is finally over for Rizzo, who will be promoted from Triple-A Tucson before Thursday’s game. Rizzo had his sore left thumb checked out Wednesday by the Padres doctors, who cleared him for action. The 21-year-old first baseman was acquired over the offseason for Adrian Gonzalez, and he blasted 16 home runs in 52 games this season in Triple-A. He’s expected to be the everyday starter at first base for the Padres, who will move Brad Hawpe to right field. Nick Hundley rejoined the Padres for Wednesday’s game after being out since May 5 with a strained oblique muscle. The Padres are keeping backup catchers Rob Johnson and Kyle Phillips on the roster for now, but that could change in the next few days. Cameron Maybin (knee) is expected to start a rehab assignment with Tucson on Thursday, and second baseman Orlando Hudson (groin) is just a few days behind Maybin.
FINAL PITCH: San Diego outfielder Blake Tekotte was sent down to Double-A San Antonio on Wednesday after batting .158 in 19 at-bats.