Wire Taps: Daniel Murphy, Stephen Strasburg win Player and Pitcher of the Month; Joe Ross won't return yet; Jayson Werth looking like Werth

The Nats are finally back from their west coast road trip! Finally, they won't play a team from the NL West. Oh wait.

Here's the scoop from South Capitol Street.

Daniel Murphy, Stephen Strasburg win Player and Pitcher of the Month
Murphy got his second Player of the Month award, his first coming in May (combined with Bryce Harper's honors in April, the Nats are three for four on Player of the Month. Strasburg won his first Pitcher of the Month award this season.

Jayson Werth looking much more like Jayson Werth
Werth has been posting numbers these past few months that come closer to what is to be expected from him after a very successful career.

Mike Rizzo calls Jonathan Papelbon a 'calming, reassuring force'
Most people regard Papelbon as a clubhouse cancer and a divider - and despite past troubles, Rizzo believes that Papelbon is one of the key aspects to the Nationals' clubhouse.

Ross won't come back on Friday, needs another rehab start
How long has Joe Ross been out again? He'll be out for one start longer as he continues to rehab in the minor leagues.

Wilmer Difo shines with short notice on Tuesday
Difo assumed he wasn't part of the lineup on Tuesday. But when Dusty Baker approached him and asked him to play second (a position he hadn't played in the minors all year), he was ready to go immediately.

Tomorrow's Game: Giants vs Nationals - 7:05 PM (MASN, WUSA 9, MLB Network, WJFK)
Probable Pitchers: Jeff Samardzija (9-7, 4.30 ERA) vs TBD