Murphy (right knee) set to be re-evaluated
ATLANTA -- Even as Daniel Murphy continues his Minor League rehab assignment at Double-A Harrisburg with him playing nine innings and at times excelling at the plate, he still appears to be moving gingerly on his surgically repaired right knee. Video surfaced from Harrisburg on Sunday morning showing Murphy, who has never been known for his mobility in the field, moving even more cautiously at second base and showing some discomfort running the bases.
Murphy has been scheduled to be re-evaluated when the team returns to D.C., but despite the results of that evaluation, he does not appear to be close to getting activated from the disabled list.
"I think we're still a ways," Nats manager Dave Martinez said. "But we'll see. We want him to keep progressing and he's doing that."
Murphy, 33, has yet to play in the Majors after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in October. The Nats later revealed his initial timetable was approximately six months, but his recovery is taking a bit longer than initially anticipated.
Entering Sunday, he has appeared in six games with Harrisburg, where he is batting 5-for-24 (.208) with a home run and six RBIs, but has also committed three errors in the field. But the Nats will focus on the way his knee feels and getting Murphy comfortable running and moving around each day.
"That's the whole thing about these rehabs, it's going to take him time to get back on his feet every day," Martinez said. "Some days are better than others and we get that, but the good part of it is he's playing every day. So one day it'll come all together and all of a sudden he's doing really well. I'm not worried about it. The good news is he's getting a chance to play every day."
X-rays negative for Adams
As Matt Adams walked through the visiting clubhouse on Sunday morning, his right foot was visibly swollen a day after he fouled a ball off his foot that forced him to leave Saturday's game. X-rays were negative, and the Nats are hopeful he could be able to pinch-hit for Sunday's series finale against the Braves.
"He was sore after the game last night so I told him last night, 'We won't start you,'" Martinez said. "If you can come off the bench, it would be great."
The Nats are hopeful they will not be without Adams for long considering he has been one of their most reliable hitters, with a .898 OPS in 50 games filling in at first base and left field.
Collins to paternity leave
• The Nationals placed left-hander Tim Collins on paternity leave prior to Sunday's game. Right-hander Jefry Rodriguez was promoted from Double-A in his place.