Rendon out; Murphy has arrived in Florida; Eaton on schedule for return

NEW YORK - Third baseman Anthony Rendon is not available for tonight's first game of a critical series against the first-place Mets with a sore left big toe.

"Rendon's toe is still sore," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez. "Just got to play it out and see what happens. He says he's getting a little better, but at this point he's still pretty sore."

Is a disabled list visit in the offing for Rendon? Martinez said not yet.

"Right now, we're just trying to see what ... it's the bruise," Martinez explained. "He's got a bad bruise on the bottom of his foot. He's going to try to play it out see if it gets (better). He's getting treatment. He says it's getting a little bit better but we have to wait and see."

Martinez said Daniel Murphy has arrived in Florida but there is not an update on his rehab schedule yet at the West Palm Beach facility.

"He's going to get his workout in tomorrow and probably play the next day," he said.

Outfielder Brian Goodwin is still recovering from a sore wrist that has limited him to one pinch-hit appearance since April 11.

"He was fine," Martinez said of Goodwin coming out of the Colorado series. "He is still sore. He will be available. At some point we got to get him back out there playing. Right now, we are trying to take care of him, give him one at-bat, let him play defense if needed. But we are going to have to get him out there. His wrist is sore and we are just trying to limit his at-bats."

Top prospect Victor Robles hyper extended his left elbow early last week in Rochester, and was in D.C. for treatment and to see team doctors. Martinez said there was no new information on Robles' status.

"No, nothing," Martinez said. "I know he's still pretty swollen, pretty sore."

Martinez is still optimistic that left fielder Adam Eaton, who has been out since April 9 with a left ankle bone bruise, can return to the team Friday when he is eligible to come off the DL.

"Definitely we are hoping that we get him back as soon as possible," Martinez said. "He's going through all the stages of trying to get back. I know he ran a little bit today. He's feeling a little bit better every day. We will see what happens."

With all the injuries to front line players and still awaiting Murphy's debut, will the Nationals have to wait to get going until these starters return? Martinez said they can't wait for that moment because they are already 7-9.

"Even without them we still got to go out and play the game," Martinez said. "Have them? Of course. But without them? Look we've been in all the games this year. We just got to clean up the little things. The base running has got to get better. I look back yesterday at some of the things: the two-strike home runs, we got to start staying away from that and making our pitches. But all in all, I'm proud of the way our guys have gone about their business. We've been in every game. And we just got to keep pushing."

Both clubs elected to hit in their respective indoor batting cages due to windy and chilly pregame conditions at Citi Field.

The Mets are 12-2 and already beat the Nats in a series sweep April 5-8 at Nats Park. Must the Nats return the favor this week to stay in the division race or is it way too early to venture out such proclamations?

"I think it's more winning games in our division," Martinez said. "That's the bottom line. We want to play good in our division. The Mets are in our division. We are going to go out there and compete."