Tampa Bay Rays vs. Washington Nationals - News - June 30, 2021 | FOX Sports

Jordy Mercer - Not starting Thursday Mercer (quadriceps) isn't starting Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact The 34-year-old played through cramps in his quadriceps Wednesday, and he was further evaluated Thursday. Even though Trea Turner (hamstring) isn't starting, Mercer will be held out of the lineup while he recovers. He's still considered day-to-day, and it's not clear whether he could be available off the bench Thursday.

JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dodgers' Roberts says Bauer still expected to start Sunday

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says pitcher Trevor Bauer is still on track to start Sunday against the Washington Nationals while police and Major League Baseball investi...

JULY 1, 2021 • Associated Press

Alex Avila - Starting at second base Avila will start at second base and bat seventh Thursday against the Dodgers, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Trea Turner (finger) and Jordy Mercer (quadriceps) and unavailable Thursday, leading Avila to receive his first big-league start at the keystone while manager Dave Martinez works with a makeshift infield. The Nationals will likely make a roster move if Turner and Mercer remain sidelined beyond Thursday, so it should just be a spot start in the infield for Avila.

JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Trea Turner - Not in Thursday's lineup Turner (finger) isn't starting Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Turner hit for the cycle and scored four runs with two stolen bases in Wednesday's win over the Rays, but he jammed his left middle finger in the bottom of the seventh inning and was removed from the game as a result. The 28-year-old is considered day-to-day for now, but Starlin Castro will shift to shortstop while Alex Avila takes over at second base.

JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Juan Soto - Starting Thursday Soto (leg) is starting Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Soto exited Wednesday's win over Tampa Bay with a cramp in his left leg, but he'll remain in the lineup for Thursday's series opener. The 22-year-old has gone 7-for-20 with a home run, two doubles, five RBI, five runs and two stolen bases across his last five appearances.

JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kyle Finnegan - Slated for another bullpen Finnegan (hamstring) is expected to throw a bullpen session Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Manager Dave Martinez said Tuesday that Finnegan is "getting really close" to a return from the injured list. While the right-hander could require a rehab assignment before he returns to the major-league bullpen, he'll throw at least one more bullpen before the team determines the next step in his recovery process.

JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Daniel Hudson - Slated for another bullpen Hudson (elbow) hopes to throw a bullpen session Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Hudson tossed a 25-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, and he'll have a quick turnaround ahead of his next bullpen. If Thursday's throwing session goes well, the right-hander could progress to face live hitters at some point in the near future. Hudson has been on the injured list since June 12 due to elbow inflammation, but he's recently been trending in the right direction.

JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE