Span's next step pushed back due to weather

LOS ANGELES -- The Nationals were planning to send center fielder Denard Span to Viera, Fla., this week, but that has been postponed because of bad weather in the area.

Span, dealing with a back injury and out since early July, will take a few days off and then go to Florida sometime next week.

"We'll see how the weather is the next week and get a plan going forward," manager Matt Williams said.

Span suffered a minor setback Thursday. He dealt with back tightness after taking batting practice and performing outfield drills. He had the rest of Thursday and all of Friday off. However, Span was able to run sprints and play catch without a problem Saturday. There is still no timetable as to when Span will play a Major League game.

Worth noting

•  The Nationals have been having problems with their bullpen lately, and one guy the Nationals miss is right-hander Craig Stammen, who is out for the season because of torn flexor tendon in his right arm.

Stammen was versatile in relief, going long, short and pitching in the middle innings.

"He was a veteran pitcher and stabilizing force in our bullpen that helped us win games," Williams said. "When you lose someone of that caliber, it is a challenge to replace him."

•  Outfielder Nate McLouth (labral tear in his right shoulder) is not close to returning to action, according to Williams. McLouth has been working out in Tennessee.

"He is continuing his program. It's a difficult surgery, so he has had some setbacks as well," Williams said. "He continues to throw and have some soreness. We are not going to put him in a position where he hurts it again. He had so many anchors [in the shoulder] and such an extensive surgery, we want to make sure that it's good."