Notes: Robles back; Lester on short rest

ATLANTA -- The Nationals got a spark of energy back when Victor Robles returned to the starting lineup on Tuesday against the Braves. The center fielder missed 10 games on the injured list because of a right ankle sprain he sustained running the bases at Wrigley Field.

Robles is looking to pick up the momentum he had established leading up to his injury. Entering Tuesday, he was hitting .389 (7-for-18) with five doubles, four RBIs, three runs, a walk and two stolen bases in his last seven games. He cited an improved view of the strike zone as a key to his recent success.

“We know what he can do on defense,” manager Dave Martinez said. “I tell him, just work good at-bats. Don’t forget, if we need you to bunt, bunt. We just need you to get on base. But he looks good, and he’s ready.”

Martinez kept Robles at the No. 9 spot, where he and leadoff hitter Trea Turner bring a high-speed tandem to the batting order. Starting pitcher Stephen Stasburg hit eighth.

“Like I’ve always said, it doesn’t matter where I hit in the lineup,” Robles said. “I’m there to help the team win any way I can and make an impact on that lineup any way possible. But in a way, I think it’s a smart strategy lining me up right behind Trea Turner, two fast guys on the bases.”

The return to the field is a welcome one for Robles, who played 52 out of 60 games last year and 155 of 162 regular-season games in 2019.

“When baseball’s your life and you’re out there to help your team win and you see them going through certain situations where you feel you could be helping out any way you can, obviously it’s a little frustrating,” he said.

Lester to start Wednesday

Southpaw Jon Lester will take the mound on Wednesday on short rest against the Braves, as right-hander Erick Fedde is not yet ready to start after he was cleared on Friday from the COVID-19 injured list.

Lester threw 74 pitches over four innings in a start against the Brewers on Saturday. He only has made two starts over his career on three days of rest, and he has a 4.91 ERA with no decision in those games.

“I told him, take us as far as you can go,” Martinez said of Lester.

Fedde is scheduled to pitch for the High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks on Thursday, where the Nats are looking for him to reach 90 pitches. He will rejoin the team in Philadelphia on Friday for the three-game series against the Phillies.

“For me, it’s always the next day with him,” Martinez said. “He threw an extended bullpen and he came back and he was pretty sore, pretty beat up. So we chose to opt for him to go out and get a start under his belt before we bring him back. We’ll see how that goes, and we’ll reevaluate him after his start.”