Washington Nationals face the Houston Astros: WATCH FREE Live Streaming ONline Major League Baseball from Minute Maid Park at 8:10 PM ET
The Nationals might be extra protective of their hands going forward, considering the damage multiple hand injuries have done to their offense.
They're also hoping they won't need many runs against the Astros on Tuesday night behind pitcher, Gio Gonzalez.
Washington (14-12) placed Bryce Harper on the disabled list prior to wrapping up its season-long 11-game homestand with Sunday's 4-2 loss to San Diego. Harper suffered a sprained thumb during a head-first slide in Friday's 11-1 victory.
Catcher Wilson Ramos hasn't played since the team's opener following surgery on his left hand, while Ryan Zimmerman hasn't played since April 12 after breaking his right thumb on a slide. Neither is expected back until next month.
Harper, Ramos and Zimmerman combined for 62 of the team's 161 homers in 2013.
"It's frustrating," said Harper to the Nats website, who was 5 for 11 over his last three games. "I want to be out there and be able to help my team win every single day."
Gonzalez (3-1, 3.00 ERA) is expected to be ready despite being pulled after 83 pitches in his previous start due to shoulder tightness. Gonzalez allowed two runs over five innings against the Angels in Wednesday's 5-4 win before exiting.
The Astros (9-17) took the final two meetings of their four-game home set with Oakland, but are just 4-8 on the road. Making his first career interleague start,
Washington has won 13 of the last 17 meetings, including eight of nine.
The game will live stream online at gofirstrowus.eu/sport/baseball.html
