WASHINGTON -- Daniel Murphy, who was scratched Friday night with a sore left hamstring, was out of the Nationals' starting lineup again Saturday, although he told manager Dusty Baker he felt good enough to play.
But Baker normally uses caution in dealing with hamstring injuries, so he decided to give Murphy an extra day off to be sure.
"Plus this gives him time to go out and test it during [batting practice]," Baker said. "Really test it, where if he was playing he probably wouldn't spend the energy in the heat and testing it."
Murphy is expected to return to the starting lineup on Sunday, where he will likely play first base in Ryan Zimmerman's absence and to put less pressure on his hamstring.