Wire Taps: Stephen Strasburg returns Wednesday?; Kelvin Herrera coming soon; Is the Nationals’ season dead?

The Nationals aren’t just mediocre; they’re bad. Mediocre teams take two of three from the Miami Marlins. Bad teams lose two of three, one in extras and another in a devastating blowout.

Who’s ready for the Phillies!

Here’s the news from Nats Park:

After too many self-inflicted wounds, this Nationals season can probably be pronounced dead (WaPo)
Sure, the math might work. But the ever-injured Nationals simply can't stop punching themselves in the face, and Dusty Baker probably can't help but chuckle as he notes that if it weren't for Matt Wieters' errant throw, he would be managing this mess. (This post, by the way, finally concedes that the camels and walk-off practice celebrations were a bad idea.)

Bullpen update: Martinez "hopeful" to have Kelvin Herrera back versus Phillies (MASN)
Herrera has missed eleven games with a right rotator cuff impingement -- in the second half of the season, he's 0-2 with a 5.68 ERA.

Stephen Strasburg to return for Nationals Wednesday against Phillies (WaPo)
In a series during which they can pull within three and a half games of the Phillies, Stephen Strasburg will join Tanner Roark and Max Scherzer in the rotation, nominally giving the Nats a decent chance to come back and become a presence in the NL East race again. Then again, they could get swept and fall to 9.5 out.

Harper on his struggle defensively in 12-1 loss to Marlins (MASN)
Bryce Harper couldn't catch a blooper from Starlin Castro, nor did he read Austin Dean's two-run double.

Stephen Strasburg to come off disabled list (MLB.com)
"Credit to Stras that he got himself ready to pitch for us, and got the opportunity to go up against a team we're trying to catch," manager Dave Martinez said. "He's been working diligently to get ready and he feels good. It's nice to go into that series with our three best pitchers."

Robles breaks out of funk in Syracuse
Victor Robles was 2-for-29 until last night, when he scored two runs in a 4-for-6 performance.