CHICAGO Max Scherzer arrived at Wrigley Field on Friday morning with the intention of throwing his first bullpen session since cutting his start Tuesdayto one inning. He didnt, but not because hes still dealing with major discomfort in his neck. Instead, Scherzer and the Nationals postponed the session until Saturday and the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner is preparing to start Monday in Washington against the Marlins.

We were like, we can just throw a bullpen tomorrow when Im truly 100 percent because Ive made progress every single day, and in 24 to 48 hours its going to be completely gone, Scherzer said. So no ones even concerned, really. Its just doing what we think is best to make the start on Monday.

Scherzer said he visited a chiropractor for an adjustment. Some residual stiffness remains, but he insisted it should be alleviated with medication and treatment in time for Monday. The Nationals wrestled with the idea of starting Scherzer on Sunday, which is his regular turn, butdecided not to.

An ace not missing a start is always uplifting news for a club, but its particularly vital for the Nationals given their rotation disorder. In addition to Scherzers early departure, Joe Ross was lost for the season, Stephen Strasburg is on the disabled list, and Gio Gonzalez isprepared to leave the club for the birth of his second child.

The muddle meant the Nationals werent ready to announce who would start Saturday and Sunday against the Cubs after Tanner Roark started Friday. Manager Dusty Baker provided clarity Friday morning, announcing that Edwin Jackson will start Saturday and Erick Fedde will get the ball Sunday.

Fedde was optioned Wednesday, but he will be recalled to replace Gonzalez on the roster when he goes on the paternity leave list. It will be his second career start; he allowed seven runs over four innings against the Rockies on Sunday.

Strasburgs return, however, remains unclear. The right-hander, who was placed on the disabled list on July 27 with a right elbow nerve impingement, said he was scheduled to throw a bullpen before Fridays game, but he didnt know when he would throw the simulated game Baker has said is planned for him. Strasburg revealed that he had an increasingly tough time recovering between starts before exiting after two innings against the Diamondbacks on July 23.

It was adding up, Strasburg said.

Strasburg, however, did say he has made significant progress in recent days, but with a 12-game division lead, the Nationals arent in any rush.

I feel better about it now than I did a few days ago, he said. But we want to make sure Im 100 percent. If this was the last game of the season, Id be out there. But we want to make sure Im right.

NATIONALS (63-43) Brian Goodwin CF Howie Kendrick LF Bryce Harper RF Daniel Murphy 2B Anthony Rendon 3B Adam Lind 1B Matt Wieters C Wilmer Difo SS Tanner Roark RHP

CUBS (57-50) Jon Jay CF Kris Bryant 3B Anthony Rizzo 1B Willson Contreras C Ben Zobrist 2B Kyle Schwarber LF Jason Heyward RF Javier Baez SS Kyle Hendricks RHP

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Max Scherzer preparing to start Monday; Stephen Strasburg making progress - Washington Post