Gomes' (forearm) status for tonight uncertain

X-rays negative on catcher; Stevenson also exits early with back spasms

May 7th, 2019

MILWAUKEE -- ' availability is in doubt after the Nationals' catcher exited Monday's game against the Brewers in the third inning with a left forearm contusion.

Left fielder Andrew Stevenson also left the game after batting in the fourth with back spasms.

Gomes was hit on the arm by an 88-mph fastball from Brewers starter Jhoulys Chacin in the first inning. He remained in the game to catch the bottom of the first and the second inning, but was removed when his spot in the lineup came up again in the third. Kurt Suzuki pinch-hit for Gomes and replaced him behind the plate.

"It was one of those things where, I mean I've been hit plenty of times, I was just really doing [starting pitcher Max Scherzer] no good back there," Gomes said. "I couldn't really hold my glove up. Now, I can kind of get some strength back. It was just one of those things where it was kind of getting a little bit more painful as it went. To give the team a chance, kind of had to give it up to Zuk."

Gomes had an X-ray, which came back negative, manager Dave Martinez said. Gomes and Suzuki are the only catchers on the active roster.

"That's a concern," Martinez said. "I told Yan, I'll talk to him in the morning and see how he's feeling. If he can't start the game, maybe throughout the game he can actually catch, so we'll see."

Stevenson, recalled Saturday from Triple-A Fresno, grounded to first in the first inning, diving head first into the bag, and then struck out in the fourth.

"After diving at first base, he had back spasms," Martinez said. "His back tightened up after a swing, so we had to take him out."

Michael A. Taylor, who had been listed as day to day after injuring his left wrist on Saturday, entered the game in center field, with Adam Eaton moving from right to left and Victor Robles from center to right. Taylor struck out twice.

"He hit during the game, got loose, and he had some good swings," Martinez said of Taylor. "But, he said he feels good."