Drew, Goodwin take BP, eye postseason return

ATLANTA -- The Nationals could soon be getting some more offensive firepower. On Thursday, Stephen Drew and Brian Goodwin took batting practice prior to Washington's 3-2 loss to the Braves at SunTrust Park.
Both players worked on getting their timing down as they make their way back from injury. Goodwin is recovering from a left groin strain, while Drew is rehabbing a left abdominal strain. Nationals manager Dusty Baker said both players look good, but he believes they still have a ways to go before returning to the active roster.
"Hitting is only one part of it," Baker said. "The running and the legs are more important than the hitting. So, I hadn't talked to [athletic training director] Paul Lessard to get a sense of it [running drills]."
The Nationals are hopeful that both players can be available at some point during the postseason. Baker said their bats would be valuable to have off the bench, yet he knows their recovery is a process.
"They have missed a lot of time," Baker said. "They are not as far along as Jayson Werth was or where Bryce Harper is right now. It is a certain thing called time that you need in order to get right."

Drew hopes that he can get into a couple of games soon. He is batting .253 with seven doubles, one homer and 17 RBIs over 46 contests this season.
"I have been really pleased as the training staff is very good," Drew said. "We have done it the right way to get me back to where I am now. I can take a lot of swings. It is more or less keeping that running in the field."
Goodwin is hitting .251 with 13 home runs in 251 at-bats. He took part in some running drills, and the next step for him is to start sprinting again.
Worth noting
Nationals fans who donated supplies in response to the recent hurricanes that have hit the United States and surrounding countries saw their relief efforts come into fruition in the D.C., Virginia and Maryland region.
The emergency supplies filled up a 53-foot tractor trailer owned by the Victory Van Corporation, the Nationals' official moving company. The United States Marine Corps and Coca-Cola also chipped in to support. The U.S. Marine Corps donated 3,500 ready-to-eat meals and Coca-Cola donated multiple pallets of bottled water.

The van will transport the items to the Salvation Army in Jacksonville, Fla. The Nationals have also made a financial donation to the Greater Houston United Way to support those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.