--3B Ryan Zimmerman has a 12-game hitting streak heading into Friday's game against the Mets, hitting .302 (16-for-53) during the streak. Manager Manny Acta said he's been pleased to see the consistent approach the 24-year-old has had at the plate, especially given his tendency to be streaky both good and bad the past three seasons.

--LHP Scott Olsen takes the mound Friday against the Mets hoping to continue a hot streak among Nationals starting pitchers. Over the past seven games, Washington starters have gone 3-0 with a 2.27 ERA. Not one member of the rotation has allowed more than two earned runs during that time. "You know how they say hitting is contagious? Well, pitching can be that way, too," Olsen told the Washington Times. "Once you get on a roll like that, you don't want to be the guy who goes out there and (screws) up what everyone else has been doing."

--1B Dmitri Young, on the 15-day disabled list with back and hip injuries, remains at extended spring training in Viera, Fla., with no timetable for his return. The Nationals don't want to send Young out on a minor league rehab assignment until they are confident he can play nine innings in the field every day. So far, Young hasn't been able to do that over a prolonged stretch.

MEDICAL WATCH:

LHP Joe Beimel (strained left hip flexor) went on the 15-day disabled list April 21.

SS Cristian Guzman (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 14. He will go on a minor league rehab assignment but should be back after missing just 15 days.

2B/OF Willie Harris (strained left oblique muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 13. He was set to begin a rehab assignment with Class AAA Syracuse during the week of April 20-26.

OF Roger Bernadina (broken right ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 19. He had surgery April 18, and he will miss a minimum of two months before beginning a rehab assignment.

1B Dmitri Young (strained back and hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. He remained at extended spring training in Viera, Fla., in late April with no timetable for his return to the majors.

RHP Terrell Young (inflamed right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He started a throwing program at extended spring training in early April.

LHP Matt Chico (Tommy John elbow surgery in July 2008) went on the 60-day disabled list March 28. He will miss at least the first half of the season.

ROTATION:

LHP John Lannan

LHP Scott Olsen

RHP Daniel Cabrera

RHP Shairon Martis

RHP Jordan Zimmermann

BULLPEN:

RHP Joel Hanrahan (closer)

RHP Julian Tavarez

RHP Mike Hinckley

RHP Saul Rivera

RHP Garrett Mock

RHP Jason Bergmann

RHP Kip Wells

CATCHERS:

Jesus Flores

Wil Nieves

INFIELDERS:

1B Nick Johnson

2B Anderson Hernandez

SS Alberto Gonzalez

3B Ryan Zimmerman

INF Ronnie Belliard

INF Alex Cintron

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Adam Dunn

CF Elijah Dukes

RF Austin Kearns

OF Josh Willingham

OF Justin Maxwell