Nationals’ Scherzer scratched from start

Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer was scratched from his start at Baltimore on Saturday night with what the team described as mild right triceps discomfort.

Manager Dave Martinez said before the game that Scherzer had an MRI and it was “extremely clean” — he’s expected to make his next start. Jon Lester is started in his place.

Scherzer is 7-4 with a 2.83 ERA in 18 starts this season.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner, who turns 37 on Tuesday, has been the subject of trade speculation as the Nationals continue to struggle.

His absence now is another issue for the Washington rotation, which has been without Stephen Strasburg since early June because of lingering neck problems.

Dodgers

Outfielder Mookie Betts, who has not started in any of the past six games, had additional “imaging” done on his injured right hip, with nothing out of the ordinary revealed. Betts is expected to miss the weekend series with a goal of returning Monday at San Francisco.

Mets

Newcomer Rich Hill is expected to make his debut for the NL East leaders Sunday when New York plays Toronto at Citi Field. Mets manager Luis Rojas said Hill would arrive at the ballpark before Saturday night’s game against the Blue Jays and throw on the side. The Mets acquired the 41-yearold left-hander in a trade with Tampa Bay on Friday.

Braves

Atlanta designated outfielder Ender Inciarte for assignment. Inciarte recently was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list. Inciarte, 30, has been phased out of the Braves’ outfield in recent seasons. He’s hit .215 with two doubles, two homers and 10 RBIs across 52 games in 2021. He missed time with a hamstring injury earlier in the season and was placed on the COVID-19 IL last week when he wasn’t feeling well.

Red Sox

Manager Alex Cora said left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, who left his start Friday in the second inning with migraine symptoms, “was feeling better” after exchanging texts with him. Cora doesn’t think it’ll land him on the injured list.

Indians

Manager Terry Francona wasn’t in the dugout Saturday night for Cleveland’s game against Tampa Bay because of a lingering head cold. Francona conducted his pregame news conference at Progressive Field before being sent home by the team’s medical staff.