Nationals lose Adams to broken finger

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals placed starting first baseman Matt Adams on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday (retroactive to June 16) with a fractured left index finger.
Adams, who is a right-handed thrower, hasn't played since June 15, but the Nationals waited until the swelling decreased in Adams' left hand so he could receive an accurate X-ray. In Adams' place, Washington recalled right-handed pitcher Jefry Rodriguez from Double-A Harrisburg to start Tuesday night against the Orioles.
"This guy's been great for us all season -- as important a player as probably any we've had all season," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. "For him to go down, it's a big blow to us. But at this point in time, we're used to it. We seem to get two back and lose two. That's kind of the way we've been going about this season."
Without Adams, Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Washington will use Daniel Murphy and Mark Reynolds at first base. Wilmer Difo will be the primary second baseman when Murphy is at first.
Murphy returned from right knee surgery on June 12, making his season debut. The three-time All-Star is hitting 3-for-22 in six games, but he doubled in the Nationals' loss to the Yankees on Monday night. The 33-year-old has mostly been pinch-hitting since his return. Reynolds is hitting .268 with six home runs in 22 games.

Adams has hit .275 with seven doubles, 13 home runs, 36 RBIs, 16 walks and 24 runs scored in 57 games.
"The good thing is, it's his non-throwing hand," Martinez said. "Once the pain actually goes away -- he was feeling better last night -- then once that goes away, he can start swinging the bat a little bit and see where he's at."
Rodriguez joined the Nationals for his second Major League stint of the season. The 24-year-old went 5-2 with a 3.31 ERA in 13 starts for Double-A Harrisburg. He made his Major League debut on June 3 at Atlanta, when he was called upon in the bottom of the first inning after Jeremy Hellickson left the game due to injury. Rodriguez allowed four hits and no runs over 4 2/3 innings.
The Nationals also optioned Wander Suero to Triple-A Syracuse to make room for reliever Kelvin Herrera, whom Washington traded for Monday night. Suero recorded a 3.63 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 15 games out of Washington's bullpen.
Kendrick supports Alzheimer's Association
Howie Kendrick still has trouble walking since he ruptured his achilles May 19, but that didn't stop the 34-year-old from walking up the steps of the Nationals' dugout with a boot on and taking the field with a purple shirt that read "#ENDALZ" before the Nationals played the Orioles on Tuesday evening.

Kendrick's mother-in-law was diagnosed with early-onset dementia at age 60, so he and his family and friends were shown on the jumbotron Tuesday to show their support for the Alzheimer's Association.
The Nationals partnered with the Alzheimer's Association as part of the Nonprofit of the Night program, a new initiative designed to help organizations gain exposure and meet their fundraising goals.