Trea Turner continues making progress, aiming to return from hamstring injury – Washington Post

A couple hours before the Nationals and Phillies played the final game of their three-game set at Nationals Park, Trea Turner was in shallow right field running sprints. Then he was in the batters box taking batting practice. Then he was at shortstop taking groundballs. Hes still on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring, so he did it all in a T-shirt and shorts, but they were all positive events for the Nationals. Turner is eligible to come off the disabled list on Wednesday and all signs point to him returning immediately in Atlanta.

Hamstring injuries are tricky, but the Nationals always insisted Turners strain was not serious. Dusty Baker has repeated that they caught it before it couldve really been a problem and Turner couldve returned in a few days, but they elected precaution for their star shortstop.

With Stephen Drew also out because of a right hamstring strain, Wilmer Difo will get the start at shortstop again on Sunday and bat eighth. Ryan Zimmerman will get his second day off of the season. Adam Lind will start in his place. The first time Zimmerman didnt start, he pinch hit in the ninth inning and smacked a game-tying three-run home run off Phillies right-hander Jeanmar Gomez. That was Gomezs last outing as Philadelphias closer.

This is the rubber game of the teams second three-game series in as many weekends. When its over, the Nationals will travel to Atlanta to begin a three-city, 10-game road trip against the Braves at new SunTrust Park.

Below are todays lineups.

PHILLIES Cesar Hernandez SS Daniel Nava RF Maikel Franco 3B Tommy Joseph 1B Cameron Rupp C Aaron Altherr CF Brock Stassi LF Freddy Galvis SS Jerad Eickhoff RHP

NATIONALS Adam Eaton CF Anthony Rendon Bryce Harper RF Daniel Murphy 2B Adam Lind 1B Jayson Werth LF Matt Wieters C Wilmer Difo SS Gio Gonzalez LHP

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Trea Turner continues making progress, aiming to return from hamstring injury - Washington Post