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Washington Nationals' lefty Gio Gonzalez takes the mound this afternoon at 5:05 PM EDT in Space Coast Stadium to take on the New York Mets in Grapefruit League action. The outing will be Gonzalez's fourth of the Spring.
In the previous three starts, the 29-year-old left-hander has given up seven hits, three walks and four earned runs, with eight Ks in 8 ⅔ IP over which he's held opposing hitters to a .212 BAA.
Here's the lineup that will be backing Gonzalez up at the start of this afternoon's game:
#Nats lineup vs. #Mets (MASN, 5pm): Escobar 2B, Taylor CF, C.Robinson RF, Zimmerman 1B, Ramos C, Desmond SS, Moore LF, Espinosa 3B, Gio P
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 26, 2015
Noticeable by his absence over the last two days, has been Bryce Harper, who, according to Nats' skipper Matt Williams, has a stomach bug:
#Nats Manager Matt Williams said Bryce Harper is out of today's lineup with a stomach bug.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 26, 2015
Danny Espinosa gets another start at third base. Tyler Moore is in left field again. Will both be playing those positions on Opening Day?
There isn't too much time left before the season opener, so these decisions will have to be made soon-ish.
Williams also provided an update on Jayson Werth when he spoke to reporters before today's game:
Jayson Werth's shoulder sore hitting, per Matt. He's graduated to swinging with regular bat but not full BP yet. "You do run out of time."
— James Wagner (@JamesWagnerWP) March 26, 2015
Williams says Jayson Werth is still "not there yet" to hit in a game. He's still feeling soreness in his R shoulder when swinging. #Nats
— Chris Johnson (@masnCJ) March 26, 2015
Will Werth be ready for Opening Day, or shortly thereafter? We'll have to wait and see... but we don't have to wait much longer to see Gio Gonzalez on the mound...