Kendrick is working back from a mild left hamstring strain suffered while running to first base March 5. Taylor is recovering from left knee and left hip sprains suffered while making a diving catch March 14. Both give the Nationals considerable depth off the bench — Kendrick in a utility role, Taylor as a fourth outfielder — and their absences had handcuffed Martinez to start the year. Martinez is without two right-handed pinch hitters. His reserve outfielder, Andrew Stevenson, is not an option to spell Victor Robles in center the way Taylor is. Kendrick is working out with the Nationals and will be evaluated across the next couple of days. Taylor has yet to play in the outfield during his recovery, and he will for the Class AA Harrisburg Senators at the end of the week.<doc-sep>WASHINGTON -- The Nationals are adjusting to life after Bryce Harper. They'll have to get used to life without Trea Turner, too. Turner suffered a non-displaced fracture on his right index finger Tuesday in the bottom of the first inning of a much-anticipated game against the Philadelphia Phillies that was billed as Harper's homecoming. Wednesday morning, the Nationals placed Turner on the 10-day injured list. The injury occurred with one out and nobody on, when Turner tried to bunt on an 0-1 offering from Phillies starter Zach Eflin. Eflin's 92 mph fastball hit Turner on his finger, causing him to fall back onto the ground. Manager Dave Martinez said there is no timetable yet for Turner's return. "It's a big loss," Martinez said. "He's our starting shortstop. But we've got to keep going." Although it was unclear whether the ball hit Turner's bat in addition to his finger, the pitch was ruled a foul-ball strike by plate umpire Paul Emmel. After being tended to by the team's medical staff, Turner walked into the dugout under his own power. He was replaced by utility man Wilmer Difo, who completed the at-bat by striking out against Eflin. "Doesn't matter if it's the first game or the last game of the year, injuries aren't fun," Turner said. "Takes you out of the lineup, takes you out of the game, and you just want to be out there competing. Not fun, but it is what it is." It's not the first time that Turner has sustained an injury after being struck by a pitch. In June 2017, he suffered a broken wrist when he was hit by a fastball from Cubs reliever Pedro Strop. Turner missed two months as a result of the injury. "Anytime you lose your starting shortstop for an extended period of time, especially a player as talented as Trea, it's just tough to swallow," first baseman Ryan Zimmerman said. "But the season doesn't stop for anybody, so just got to keep going." Trea Turner took a 92 mph fastball off his right index finger and left in the first inning Tuesday night. Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports A former first-round pick of the San Diego Padres, Turner was acquired by Washington in a 2015 trade. The following year, he hit .342 and stole 33 bases in 73 games, and finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting. Turner was off to a fast start this season, going 5-for-13 with two homers and four stolen bases over the Nats' first three games. His three steals on Opening Day tied a major league record. He went deep twice against the Mets on Sunday, including a walk-off homer that gave Washington a 6-5 win. First baseman Matt Adams also exited Tuesday's game early, after he fell over a railing trying to catch a foul pop in the top of the first inning. The Nats said Adams was removed because of back spasms. He was replaced by pinch-hitter Zimmerman in the bottom of the fourth. Washington has already been hit hard by injuries, losing veteran utility man Howie Kendrick (hamstring) and outfielder Michael A. Taylor (hip, knee) during spring training. If Turner misses extended time, Difo would probably take over as the starting shortstop. To replace Turner on the 25-man roster, the Nationals recalled infielder Adrian Sanchez from Triple-A Fresno. With Washington's new top minor league affiliate based on the other side of the country, Sanchez left Tuesday evening, flew from California to Chicago, caught a connection, and landed in Washington on Wednesday morning. The Nationals plan to activate utility player Kendrick off the IL on Thursday, when Washington opens a three-game series against the Mets in New York. The Associated Press contributed to this report.<doc-sep>Trea Turner squared to bunt at an 0-1 pitch from Philadelphia Phillies’ pitcher Zach Eflin last night, with his right index finger draped over the top of his bat, and the pitch went right at his hand and caught him on the exposed digit. It was clear on impact that there was an issue. Turner couldn’t bend the finger. “I couldn’t move it,” Turner said, after learning he’d suffered a non-displaced break in the finger. “I’ve never had anything dislocated,” he added, “so I figured that’s what it was, and I think it might have been a combination of that and also with a break, I’m not really sure, but yeah, I couldn’t move it so I knew something wasn’t good.” Turner said he was hoping it was just a dislocation until an X-ray revealed a break. “Just because I think that would be a better scenario than a broken bone, but you know, just frustrated, that’s all really, just frustrated.” Manager Davey Martinez said they had no idea after the game how long the 25-year-old would be out. “There’s no timetable right now,” the skipper told reporters. “The ball was in, and he just couldn’t get out of the way,” Martinez explained when asked what he saw on the pitch. “I think the ball just kept running in on him,” he added. “Yeah, you know, I think I don’t expect anybody to throw basically at my head, so for me when I see a ball in that kind of tunnel, first thought is slider,” Turner said. “Maybe started up and in, tried to get for a strike. Tried staying in there with a bunt and just kind of kept running.” Martinez said last night that they already had a player on the way to take Turner’s place on the roster. “We’re going to try to get hopefully somebody here by game time. The turnaround is quick, so we’re hoping he arrives,” he explained, with a 1:05 PM start in the second of two with the Phillies and the Nationals’ top minor league affiliate in Fresno, CA now. Adrián Sanchez got the call, with Nats’ GM Mike Rizzo telling 106.7 the FAN in D.C.’s Sports Junkies this morning that he didn’t think the Nationals’ top prospect, Carter Kieboom, was ready to play every day at short right now. Martinez said Wilmer Difo will play short for now. “Difo is going to get an opportunity to play, and he’s here for a reason, so we’ve just got to come back tomorrow and play baseball.” Turner was placed on the 10-Day Injured List this morning.<doc-sep>Today’s Headlines The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy<doc-sep>
The Washington Nationals suffered a sizable loss on Tuesday, and it wasn't the 8-2 defeat they received at the hands of the Bryce Harper-led Philadelphia Phillies. Rather, the Nationals saw shortstop Trea Turner exit the game in the first inning after taking a pitch to his right index finger on a bunt attempts. Turner underwent X-rays and after the game manager Davey Martinez confirmed what most suspected: Turner had broken a finger. It's unclear how much time Turner will miss, but it should be obvious that his injury is not a good development for the Nationals, who are already 1-3 on the year. (It doesn't help that first baseman Matt Adams also left Tuesday's game due to back spasms.) Turner was supposed to be a big part of the Washington lineup thanks to his speed and on-base abilities -- a combination he has used to post at least a 100 OPS+ in each of his first three full MLB seasons. He has started this season well, too, going 5 for 13 with two home runs and four stolen bases (on four tries). Now, the Nationals will have to turn to Wilmer Difo as their most-days shortstop. Difo has received fine marks for his defensive efforts, but can't match up to Turner's offense -- for his career he's a .250/.310/.358 hitter (75 OPS+). Down the road, a prolonged absence from Turner plus some poor play from Difo could result in the hastened arrival of prospect Carter Kieboom. For the time being, the 21-year-old Kieboom is slated for Triple-A. He's considered the 25th best prospect in baseball, per MLB.com.