Fister feels ready to make Nationals debut

PHILADELPHIA -- Nationals right-hander Doug Fister made his first and only rehab start for Double-A Harrisburg on Friday night, pitching 3 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out five batters against Reading. Fister threw 76 pitches, while 46 of them went for strikes.

"I felt strong. I felt where I need to be," Fister said. "I'm a little late, obviously. For the most part, I came out of the game and felt I could go back for another couple of innings. The results weren't what I was hoping for. I feel like I'll be ready [for my next start]."

Fister, who has been on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right lat, will make his Nationals debut on Friday. At first it was believed that Wednesday would be the day that Fister would make his Nationals debut against the Dodgers, but Matt Williams found that there may have needed to be an adjustment.

"We may have to make a little bit of an adjustment given the way guys fall on regular rest. We discussed Wednesday. It may fall to Friday, so we'll see about that," Williams said. "We are still working that out."