Souza feeling better after crashing into wall

ATLANTA -- Nationals outfielder Steven Souza Jr. said he is feeling much better after colliding with the right-field wall during Friday's 7-6 loss to the Braves but is still a little sore.

Manager Matt Williams went so far as to say that Souza was available off the bench for Saturday night's game against Atlanta. Souza has undergone several concussion tests over the past 24 hours and has passed all of them.

The injury occurred in the bottom of the second inning. With Atlanta leading, 4-0, Freddie Freeman swung at a 2-1 pitch from right-hander Stephen Strasburg and hit a long drive to right field. Souza chased after the ball and collided with the wall at full speed as the ball went over the fence for a two-run homer.

Souza was on the ground for at least a minute, while Williams, athletic trainer Lee Kuntz and several teammates came to his aide.

Souza saw the video of the collision and was surprised that he wasn't seriously injured. He said the pad on top of the right-field wall prevented him from sustaining a head injury.

"There isn't much damage," Souza said. "I just think the impact of being stopped at full speed is kind of where we are at. It hit my shoulder and neck right there."