Taylor begins rehab assignment with Potomac (Nats win 1-0)

MIAMI - Michael A. Taylor began a rehab assignment with Single-A Potomac this evening, the first of several much-anticipated steps for the Nationals as they try to get their starting lineup healthy again.

Taylor, who has been out since July 7 with a strained right oblique muscle, led off and served as designated hitter for the Potomac Nationals in his first game action in nearly four weeks.

Taylor had just recently been cleared to resume full baseball activities after being limited to light conditioning while waiting for the oblique muscle to heal. The Nationals aren't saying yet how long the outfielder will stay on his rehab assignment, but manager Dusty Baker made it clear the club won't activate Taylor until they're confident he is 100 percent healthy.

"We have tentative plans, but it all depends on how he responds, on if he feels anything in his oblique, and depends on how his legs feel," Baker said. "Because you can practice and work out all you want to, but there's nothing like game-time situation. So we have a plan. It just depends on how everything responds, how his timing is."

Taylor is the first of the Nationals' three injured regulars to begin a rehab assignment. Outfielder Jayson Werth and shortstop Trea Turner are both with the club in Miami during this series but will transfer to West Palm Beach on Thursday and continue rehabbing at the organization's spring training complex.

The Nationals expect to have all three back sometime in August.

"I told Michael: 'I know you're in a hurry to get back, but ... I'd rather have you back a day or two later than a day or two too early,'" Baker said. "Because he was going pretty good when he left. He had a good year going, and I want to continue that. So we'll see how it goes."

Update: We've got a heck of a pitchers' duel brewing here tonight, folks. Jose Ureña has pitched five innings of one-hit ball, allowing only Adam Lind's two-out single in the second. Gio Gonzalez has pitched five innings of hitless ball, allowing only a pair of walks. Both starters are excelling and working quickly, and so this has the makings of quite a game. Stay tuned.

Update II: This is turning into something, folks. Gonzalez is through the sixth without allowing a hit. And his teammates have given him the lead. Brian Goodwin's leadoff double in the top of the sixth set the stage. Wilmer Difo bunted him over to third and then Bryce Harper drove him home with an opposite-field single. So it's 1-0 Nats as Gonzalez tries to make some history here tonight.

Update III: He's through the eighth inning, everybody. The Marlins still don't have a hit, only three walks and a hit-by-pitch. He has thrown 103 pitches. And he'll take the mound with a shot at history.

Update IV: Well, Gonzalez didn't get his no-hitter. Dee Gordon led off the ninth with a single to left-center. But Sean Doolittle came in from the bullpen to record the final three outs and secure a 1-0 victory for the Nats.