Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ Trea Turner hit by pitch; X-ray negative; Nats drop 2 of 3 to NY Mets + more...

Trea Turner left Sunday’s game in the eighth, after getting hit by a pitch in the sixth, but the shortstop’s manager assured reporters after the Nationals’ 4-0 loss in the series finale with the Mets in Citi Field that the initial diagnosis is just a bruise to Turner’s left forearm. Turner took a 91+ MPH splitter off the arm, but appears to have avoided a serious injury.

“He went and got an X-ray, it’s negative. He’s got a contusion on his forearm,” skipper Davey Martinez said. “So we got the day off tomorrow, so hopefully he’ll be ready Tuesday.”

“I just talked to him right now and he feels like — we’ll see how if we get the swelling down a little bit tomorrow, but he feels like he can go. But we’ll see how he is. It’s his lead arm for swinging, so he took some swings in the cage and it just got stiff on him, so we wanted to take him out and get X-rays.”

He’ll be fine. Everything else has gone the Nationals’ way this season. Go read your links.

NATS BEAT:

Nationals still tight in NL East despite slow start - (Washington Times)
"Still, when Washington looks up at the other four teams in the division, there’s no huge gap."

Nationals get shut out by Mets to lose series - The Washington Post
Sunday's loss included missed opportunities when Josh Harrison and Victor Robles made baserunning mistakes.

Patrick Corbin struggles as Nationals lose - (MLB.com)
"Starter Patrick Corbin continues to struggle with establishing consistency this season after falling to 0-3 with a 10.47 ERA."

Corbin's struggles, Nats' mistakes lead to another loss - (MASN)
"Corbin’s struggles, to be sure, remain a significant headline."

As Nats badger Mets with 10 singles, Davey Martinez says the ‘power will come’ - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals racked up 10 hits in their win over the New York Mets on Saturday, setting a season-high with seven runs scored as they cruised to a series-tying victory in Queens."

Hernandez makes most of rare start, makes case for more - (MASN)
"It was perhaps an unexpected performance to most observers. Just not to those who have been watching Hernandez closely for the last year."

Nats hope healthy Zimmerman doesn't go cold after week off - (MASN)
"But never before has Zimmerman missed an entire week while on the Nationals’ active roster and, by all accounts, healthy enough to play. Until this week."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Pitching Notes: Corbin, Odorizzi, Tepera, Ohtani - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"Patrick Corbin was the subject of some trade discussions this winter, as ESPN.com’s Buster Olney ... reports that the Nationals had talks with other teams about the veteran left-hander."

Nationals, PG County Park and Rec host giveaway, promoting kids’ baseball and softball leagues - (WDVM25 & DCW50)
"The Washington Nationals were making a difference in the community Saturday in Riverdale, Maryland."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Andrew McCutchen best option for leadoff - (MLB.com)
"Joe Girardi loves to think about different lineup combinations, but no matter how many times the manager is asked about the Phillies’ top spot, he finds there are few options outside Andrew McCutchen."

NY Mets defense will improve, says manager Luis Rojas - (NorthJersey.com)
"The Mets broke camp believing they were a much better defensive club than they had been in recent seasons. Thus far, it's been hit and miss."

Jesús Aguilar homers to lift Marlins to victory - (MLB.com)
"The Marlins came alive in crunch time, rallying for four runs in the ninth inning to beat the Giants 5-2 Saturday night at Oracle Park."

Cristian Pache remains at Braves alternate site - (MLB.com)
"Cristian Pache is healthy, but the Braves are going to allow their prospect to spend a little more time developing his offensive approach before placing him back on their active roster."