Fansided

Nationals open up second half without Daniel Murphy

By Brad Weiss

Jul 12, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; National League infielder Daniel Murphy (20) of the Washington Nationals hits a single in the 9th inning in the 2016 MLB All Star Game at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; National League infielder Daniel Murphy (20) of the Washington Nationals hits a single in the 9th inning in the 2016 MLB All Star Game at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Nationals will open up the second half of the Major League Baseball season without their All-Star second baseman, Daniel Murphy.

The Washington Nationals will open up their second half of the season with a six-game lead over the Miami Marlins and New York Mets in the National League East. However, when the team takes the field to play the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park on Friday, they will be without All-Star second baseman Daniel Murphy.

Murphy was scratched from Friday’s second half opener with leg soreness.

Murphy had a great first half of the season for the Nationals, batting .348 with 17 home runs. He has played a key role in the team’s great first half, and has been a great addition since coming over from the New York Mets in the off-season.

Against those Mets, Murphy is batting a ridiculous .423 with seven home runs in 13 games. Murphy helped the Mets to the World Series last season, blasting home run after home run to help take the National League crown.

The Nationals will have Stephen Strasburg on the mound on Friday, as the right-hander looks to go 13-0 to start the season. Strasburg, who was also an All-Star, will face Pirates’ left-hander Franciscio Liriano. Liriano has struggled through a 5-8 season to start the year.

In Murphy’s place, top prospect Trea Turner will get the start at second, and Clint Robinson will play first. Turner, a great shortstop prospect, is hitting .429 in seven at-bats this season. Turner is considered the second-best prospect in the organization by Baseball America.

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