Starting lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in Jupiter (Harper scratched)

JUPITER, Fla. - Well, it's been quite a morning already in Nationals camp. The day began with a surprise twist to the club's morning "Circle of Trust" meeting: Coaches Bob Henley and Tim Bogar rode in on camels, yelling out "Hump Day!" and eventually making all the players walk through the tunnel they created to symbolize how the Nationals are trying to get over the proverbial hump this season. This was all concocted by manager Davey Martinez, and I'll have plenty more on all this a little later.

Tanner-Roark-throw-blue-sidebar.jpgIn the meantime, there is actually a game to be played. For the third time in five days, the Nationals are facing the Marlins. And for the second time in five days, Tanner Roark is on the mound. He's actually going on short rest, which is odd but was planned by the team and was a reflection of the right-hander having only thrown 33 pitches last time out. He may not throw much more than that this time.

Despite being a road game, quite a few regulars are making the short trip to Jupiter. Trea Turner, Howie Kendrick, Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon sit atop the lineup against Marlins right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne. Matt Adams was scheduled to start at first base, but he's still dealing with a blister on his right foot and will miss a couple of days.

Update: So much for Harper playing in this game. He was scratched with an ingrown toenail. It's not the first time this has happened. Harper had a nasty one a few years ago that had to be surgically removed. Wilmer Difo is now serving as DH and batting second.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. MIAMI MARLINS
Where: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EST
TV: None
Radio: MLB.com (Marlins broadcast)
Weather: Partly cloudy, 78 degrees, wind 11 mph in from right field

NATIONALS
SS Trea Turner
DH Wilmer Difo
2B Howie Kendrick
DH Bryce Harper
3B Anthony Rendon
C Miguel Montero
CF Michael A. Taylor
RF Victor Robles
1B José Marmolejos
LF Moisés Sierra

RHP Tanner Roark

MARLINS
RF Magneuris Sierra
C J.T. Realmuto
2B Starlin Castro
LF Derek Dietrich
1B Garrett Cooper
CF Lewis Brinson
3B Brian Anderson
DH Eric Campbell
SS Peter Mooney

RHP Odrisamer Despaigne




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