Worth noting

• The Nationals joined with the other Major League teams playing at home on Monday by observing a moment of silence in honor of the 19 firefighters who died while battling a wildfire in Arizona on Sunday. The moment came as part of the ceremonies before the team's game against the Brewers, just before the national anthem.

All but one of the fallen firefighters came from the elite Prescott (Ariz.) Granite Mountain Hotshots. They were battling a huge blaze near the town of Yarnell, 85 miles northwest of Phoenix, when the accident occurred.

• The Nationals optioned right-handed reliever Erik Davis to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday to clear roster space for Bryce Harper. Davis had been recalled from Syracuse on Saturday for his second stint with Washington this season but didn't make an appearance. He has a 6.23 ERA in five big league relief outings.

• Manager Davey Johnson said that right-handed reliever Ryan Mattheus, on the disabled list since May 22 with a broken right hand, is "throwing pretty good," but that he hasn't progressed from flat ground to a mound.

Johnson also joked about the beard Mattheus has been growing.

"I hope we get him out here before he changes into Rip Van Winkle or something," Johnson quipped. "I can't hardly recognize him. That thing's growing out … It's like he's trying to get it past [Jayson] Werth."

• Johnson said that right-hander Dan Haren will throw a simulated game on Wednesday as he makes his way back from the DL.

• The Nationals on Monday granted outfielder Micah Owings his outright release from Triple-A Syracuse, at Owings' request. Owings, who pitched six seasons in the Majors, signed a Minor League deal with Washington in February and switched positions. He was hitting .265 with eight home runs and 71 strikeouts in 57 games for Syracuse.