Hudson to return from paternity list for Game 2
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ST. LOUIS -- Daniel Hudson went on the paternity list on Friday but will be back with the Nationals for Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, manager Dave Martinez announced after Washington's 2-0 win of Game 1. Hudson flew home to Phoenix following NL Division Series Game 5 to be with his wife for the birth of their third daughter, who was born on Friday morning.
| Game | Date | Result | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gm 1 | Oct. 11 | WSH 2, STL 0 | Watch |
| Gm 2 | Oct. 12 | WSH 3, STL 1 | Watch |
| Gm 3 | Oct. 14 | WSH 8, STL 1 | Watch |
| Gm 4 | Oct. 15 | WSH 7, STL 4 | Watch |
Shop for postseason gear: Wander Suero, initially removed from the roster for the NLCS, occupied Hudson's spot on the roster for Game 1 and will come off the roster on Saturday with Hudson's return.
“I told him, I said, ‘Hey, family's always first,'” Martinez said. “I mean, I get it, I understand. The timing didn't work out like we thought, baby wasn't ready to come out. So we get him back when we get him back.”
The Nats made two other changes to their bullpen from the NLDS, adding left-hander Roenis Elías, who has been limited to three innings since Washington acquired him at the July 31 Trade Deadline and none since Sept. 5 because of a right hamstring strain, and Javy Guerra, while removing Hunter Strickland and, eventually, Suero.
Hudson posted a 1.44 ERA in 24 games after joining Washington, and in three appearances this postseason he has not allowed a run with four strikeouts and two walks. Fortunately for the Nationals' beleaguered bullpen, Hudson's absence didn't come into play in Game 1, thanks to Aníbal Sánchez's seven innings of no-hit baseball and Sean Doolittle's four-out save to seal the win.
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Robles, Suzuki updates
Despite injury concerns for both center fielder Victor Robles and catcher Kurt Suzuki, both were on the Nats' roster but neither was in Friday's starting lineup.
Robles has not played since Game 2 of the NLDS, when he sustained a "very mild" right hamstring strain, according to the club. Martinez said Robles’ hamstring was about 80-85 percent before Game 1, but he still did not want to risk putting his young outfielder in the game.
“If you know Victor, he's an all-out guy, he's not going to let up,” Martinez said. “To me, it's worth him missing another day or two to get him fully back, hopefully.”
Suzuki was hit by a pitch in Game 5 that deflected off his left hand and face. Although the team was hopeful he would be ready to return to Friday's lineup, the Nats decided to remain cautious and start Yan Gomes behind the plate instead. Suzuki was expected to undergo further evaluation on Friday.
“I'll know more in the next coming hours or something like that, but we need to be cautious,” Martinez said. “When it comes to a head injury, we got to make sure that he's good to go.”
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