Padres Pregame: Opening in Washington

Shortstop Everth Cabrera was activated from the 15-day disabled list Friday and was immediately inserted into the lineup in the leadoff spot as the Padres prepared to open a three-game series in Washington against the Nationals.

Cabrera, 26, had been out of the Padres lineup since suffering a left hamstring strain on June 16.

In Cabrera?s absence, the Padres went 5-12. They were 2-11 after winning three of their first four games without Cabrera, whose return makes him the leading candidate for the Padres? berth in the All-Star Game.

Cabrera was hitting .305 with four homers, 24 RBIs, 37 runs scored and a National League-leading 31 steals when he was injured. He had started every one of the Padres first 69 games.

Cabrera was 0-for-7 in two rehab games with low Single-A Fort Wayne Tuesday and Wednesday.

To make room for Cabrera, the Padres returned right-handed pitcher Burch Smith to Triple-A Tucson.

Cabrera?s return leaves two other infielders ? rookie second baseman Jedd Gyorko (right groin strain) and first baseman Yonder Alonso (non-displaced fracture to the third metacarpal bone on his right hand) ? on the disabled list.

After being swept by the Red Sox at Fenway Park and losing six straight on the trip, the Padres won?t find things much easier in Washington. They will be facing the Nationals top three starters over the weekend.

The Padres split the four games the teams played in San Diego May 16-19. But the Padres were healthy back then while Washington was playing without outfielder Jayson Werth. Bryce Harper will also be back in left field for Washington Friday night.

PADRES (40-46) at NATIONALS (43-42)

Time: 4:10 p.m. Game: 1 of 3

TV: Fox Sports San Diego

Radio: 1090-AM, 860-AM (Spanish)

Today?s matchup

Padres RHP Andrew Cashner (5-3, 3.31 ERA)

Cashner vs. the Nationals: 2-0 career, 2.19 ERA in six games, one start (1-0 this season, 4.05 ERA in one start).

Cashner at Nationals Park: 0-0 career, 0.00 ERA in three relief appearances.

Cashner, 26, will be making his 14th start of the season Friday night and his second against the Nationals. On May 19, Cashner allowed three runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings against the Nationals in a 13-4 Padres win. He has made three relief appearances at Nationals Park without allowing a run in 3 2/3 innings. Cashner is 1-2 on the road this season with a 4.21 ERA in 10 games (seven starts). Cashner was 1-0 in five starts in June with a 2.78 ERA. Cashner is hitting .292 (7-for-24) this season with one game-winning bunt single as a pinch-hitter.

Nationals at Cashner:

Roger Bernadina: .250 (1-fdor-4, 3B, BB)

Ian Desmond: .000 (0-for-1)

Danny Espinosa: .000 (0-for-4, 2 SO)

Bryce Harper: .000 (0-for-1, SO)

Adam LaRoche: .200 (1-for-5, 2 SO)

Steve Lombardozzi: .667 (2-for-3)

Tyler Moore: .000 (0-for-3, SO)

Eury Perez: .000 (0-for-1, SO)

Wilson Ramos: .000 (0-for-1)

Denard Span: .500 (2-for-4)

Kurt Suzuki: .250 (1-for-4)

Jayson Werth: .000 (0-for-1, 2 BB)

Ryan Zimmerman: .250 (1-for-4, HR)

Source: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jul/05/padres-mlb-padres-pregame-at-washington/

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