Davey leaning toward starting Ohlendorf on Sunday

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals have not decided who will start Sunday night's game against the Mets, but right-hander Ross Ohlendorf is the likely candidate.

After Wednesday's 4-3 victory over the Marlins, manager Davey Johnson said he was thinking about having Stephen Strasburg throw on short rest after he pitched just two innings in the rain-delayed game. On Thursday, however, Johnson said he was leaning toward Ohlendorf, which means Strasburg will start Monday against the Phillies.

Before making the final decision, Johnson wants to see Ohlendorf have two bullpen sessions. Johnson was concerned when Ohlendorf's pitches went down 10 mph in the sixth inning during Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the Marlins.

Johnson said before Thursday's 9-0 win that he could change his mind and go with Tanner Roark, but the reliever pitched two shutout innings against the Marlins.

"If I don't need Roark, I might flip flop," Johnson said before Thursday's game. "[Roark] might be the first man out today. Hopefully, Gio [Gonzalez] throws a gem and we score a bunch of runs."

Gonzalez did pitch a gem and Roark got in, but the manager didn't make an official announcement about Sunday's starter.