Bernadina has stiff neck after catch

US Presswire photo

Roger Bernadina was banged up making this catch during last night's game.

ATLANTA -- Roger Bernadina is dealing with a stiff neck one day after slamming into the left field wall to make a catch during the Nationals' 2-1 loss to the Braves and is not in manager Davey Johnson's starting lineup for the second game of this series.

"He's got a little stiff neck," Johnson said. "But he could play."

Bernadina initially appeared to hurt his right shoulder or collarbone after he robbed Jason Heyward of extra bases in the fifth inning. Johnson and a trainer went out to check on him, but Bernadina stayed in the game and played the rest of the way without appearing to suffer any lingering effects.

Afterward, Bernadina insisted he could play.

"In that moment, I didn't think about it," he said. "It should be fine."

With Bernadina banged up and Michael Morse already out until at least Tuesday with a left wrist injury, the Nationals today are turning to utilityman Steve Lombardozzi as their starting left fielder.

Johnson's reason for starting Lombardozzi against Braves right-hander Tommy Hanson?

"Lombo's got 50 percent of his home runs off this guy, so..." the manager joked. (Lombardozzi has only two homers all season.)

Johnson said he plans to start Tyler Moore for tomorrow night's series finale, with left-hander Mike Minor on the mound for Atlanta.

Morse, meanwhile, did not participate in any baseball activities for the fourth straight day, trying to give his wrist (which has a bone bruise and a torn sheath) time to heal before he attempts to return to the field.

The Nationals are hoping their No. 5 hitter will be able to take batting practice on Tuesday and perhaps play that night against the Dodgers.

"He's still sore," Johnson said. "With a little tear of that sheath ... I don't think, according to the doctors, it's something that playing is going to make it any worse."