MILWAUKEE -- Brandon McCarthy said his blistered right index finger held up fine during a full bullpen session on Sunday and remained optimistic of starting Tuesday night against the Nationals.
The club pushed back the scheduled start of 20-year-old Julio Urias for Triple-A Oklahoma City from Saturday to Tuesday so he would be lined up to fill in for McCarthy if necessary. Urias' availability, however, has been clouded because he's been ill, according to manager Dave Roberts. Urias was optioned to OKC on May 21 with a 5.14 ERA.
"We expect him to make his start," Roberts said after the Dodgers' 3-0 loss to the Brewers on Sunday.
McCarthy left his Thursday start in St. Louis after four innings because of the blister, the latest in a string of his ailments that include right knee tendinitis and a left shoulder dislocation.
Worth noting
• Roberts said third baseman Justin Turner's rehab assignment for a strained right hamstring will start later in the week. When Turner returns to third base, Roberts said, John Forsythe will return to second base with Chase Utley backing him up. 
However, Roberts said Chris Taylor will continue to play mostly center field and Joc Pederson, currently on the concussion disabled list, will need to produce during a rehab assignment to earn back playing time in center.
"Joc's got to go out there and play, and I want him to play well," said Roberts.
• Reliever Luis Avilan was started a rehab assignment for his sore triceps on Sunday with Triple-A Oklahoma City. The left-hander allowed two runs on one walk and one hit in an inning, striking out two.