Worth noting

• Ian Desmond was taken out of the game in a fifth-inning double switch by Johnson in the Nationals' 11-6 win over the Cubs on Wednesday night. After the game, Desmond said it was due to back tightness that he had felt during batting practice prior to the game.

Johnson said after the game that he hopes to have Desmond back in the lineup Thursday.

"He wasn't his usual self," Johnson said. "His back was really bothering him. He had to go in after he couldn't take ground balls [between innings]. There was a situation made to order [where] I could get him out of there, and hopefully he'll be able to play tomorrow."

• According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Haren has a 2.16 ERA since returning from the disabled list July 8, which is eighth best in the NL since July 1.

Haren's ERA of 6.15 through the end of June was the third worst in the Majors, ahead of Clayton Richard (7.01) and Jeff Francis (6.58). Both rankings are among pitchers with a minimum of 50 innings pitched over both periods.

• Roger Bernadina -- who was released by the Nationals on Monday -- has signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, and he was in uniform for tonight's game against the Rockies at Citizens Bank Park.

Bernadina, who signed with the Montreal Expos when he was 17 years old in 2001, had been the organization's longest-tenured player.

He hit .178 (27-for-152) with two home runs and six RBIs in 85 games for the Nationals this season.