Worth noting

• Washington said infielder Jurickson Profar (shoulder tendinitis) is expected to play defense in a game "sometime after the middle of the month." Profar went 2-for-4 with a grand slam as the designated hitter Thursday against the Padres.

"He's throwing in drills now and he's up to 100-something feet so once we can get him out there to 190 feet where he can throw and keep the ball with some velocity on it, we'll get him out there," Washington said. "At least, he's throwing in the drills now and that's a good thing."

Profar continues to work on defensive drills and take batting practice.

"When his throwing gets to a point where we can start putting him in ball games, it will look like he never missed," Washington said.

• Matt Harrison is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session on Friday and is on track to throw in a "B" game. Harrison threw 38 pitches in his first bullpen session on Wednesday, his first since being shut down at the beginning of camp with back and neck stiffness.

• Newly acquired left-handed pitcher Joe Saunders will throw in a "B" game on Friday. He has already thrown a live batting practice session and could pitch an inning or two of a regular Spring Training game soon. Saunders' pitch count is up to 50 pitches, Washington said.

"He's ready to go," the manager said. "He's been doing a lot of throwing. We'll get him out there and see where it goes."

• Engel Beltre was scratched from Thursday's lineup because symptoms associated with shin splints. Alex Rios was out of the lineup because of a mild oblique strain but was already scheduled to take the day off.