(Jonathan Newton - The Washington Post) You can add Davey Johnson to the Nationals’ injury list. He has a sore, infected toe that he will see a doctor about Thursday. “Whatever’s going around this ball club, I guess I caught it,” Johnson said. He will not miss any games, but he will not be with the Nationals as they travel to Atlanta. “I’m missing my day off and hustling some of the guys on this ball club,” he said. “That’s tearing me up inside. I don’t like to spend my off days in the doctor’s office.”

First, he’ll watch the Nationals go for the sweep against Cole Hamels behind Edwin Jackson. Talk about the game right here.

Live box score of tonight’s matchup.

(Jonathan Daniel - GETTY IMAGES) Brad Lidge could return to a Nationals’ bullpen in need of reinforcements sooner than expected. This afternoon, Lidge threw his first bullpen session since undergoing sports hernia surgery May 1. He will report to Viera, Fla., tomorrow to continue his rehab, and his schedule could put him on pace to return to the majors by June 12.

Today, Lidge threw about 20 pitches, all fastballs, off the mound. Lidge also visited the doctor who performed his surgery while in Philadelphia, and he told Lidge he could push the affected area unless he feels something. So far, he hasn’t.

(AP) Stephen Strasburg remained on track to make his next start on Saturday night by throwing his typical between-starts bullpen session this afternoon. “Felt great,” Strasburg said, putting emphasis on both words.

Sunday, Manager Davey Johnson pulled Strasburg after five innings and 90 pitches after he learned Strasburg had felt tightness in his arm. Johnson’s admission created mild panic, but Strasburg insisted he was just fine.

Pitching coach Steve McCatty and Johnson said Monday that Strasburg had felt typical soreness for a pitcher returning from Tommy John surgery. Strasburg said today the issue became a bigger deal than necessary.

(Greg Fiume - GETTY IMAGES) The Nationals are optimistic slugger Michael Morse could return sooner than the beginning of interleague play June 8, which had been their target date. Morse, who reported to Viera, Fla., last week, will play in an extended spring training game Friday and could begin a minor league rehab assignment by next week.

Morse has been on the disabled list all season with a strained muscle underneath his right armpit that has prevented him from throwing with any strength. He recently ended a six-week “shutdown” period and has been performing baseball activities in Florida.

Manager Davey Johnson said Morse will “for sure” return by June 8, when the Nationals play in Fenway Park and Morse could serve as the designated hitter. He added, “some people are thinking it might be accelerated ahead of then.”

The Nationals will try for the sweep tonight behind Edwin Jackson, who is making his first start against the Phillies as a member of the Nationals. Ryan Zimmerman, as expected, is back in the lineup after being a scratch last night.

Nationals

1. Danny Espinosa, 2B

2. Bryce Harper, RF

3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B

4. Adam LaRoche, 1B

5. Ian Desmond, SS

6. Rick Ankiel, CF

7. Xavier Nady, LF

8. Jesus Flores, C

9. Edwin Jackson, SP