"Tom Gorzelanny's right ankle remained sore today after he sprained it Sunday afternoon in a collision at home plate. Gorzelanny iced his ankle this morning and in the afternoon and said it was "way too soon" to know if he could make his next scheduled start. Since the Nationals have an off day both Thursday and next Monday, as Manager Davey Johnson pointed out, they could skip Gorzelanny without forcing any other starter to pitch on irregular rest.

Gorzelanny received an x-ray on his ankle, he said, and the results were negative.

Ivan Rodriguez said he felt no pain as he hit off a tee and took soft toss today, his best progress yet as he rehabs from a strained oblique muscle that landed him on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 7. Rodriguez also said he plans to take full batting practice and hopes to return Friday, the first day he is eligible to come off the disabled list.

"I'm pretty much right there," Rodriguez said. "The way I feel right now is 10 times better than I was just five, six days ago.""