No Reyes, Pagan or Bay tonight

Good luck, Johan.

Jerry Manuel really had no choice but to sit both Jose Reyes and Angel Pagan as they are nursing muscle strains in their right sides. But seems to me he picked an odd day to give Jason Bay a rest, too. Manuel said Bay needed a break, and with lackluster numbers against Livan Hernandez - voila - there you go.

As for the other two, Manuel is hoping - hoping, mind you - to have Reyes and Pagan back in the lineup for Saturday's showdown with Nats phenom Steven Strasburg. Reyes was still feeling a little sore when he showed up this afternoon, so there is no reason to push it.

"I know what happened last year when I tried to be in the lineup," said Reyes, who played only 36 games last season because of hamstring issues. "So I have to be careful with this."

-- Some Carlos Beltran news as well. Manuel said Beltran will play back-to-back nine-inning games in centerfield this weekend and then be re-evaluated with the strong possibility of him coming back by next week. Manuel did not think it would be necessary for him to see any pitching above the Class A level, so that should hasten his return.

-- Manuel also said that Oliver Perez's velocity was in the 89-92 mph range during Wednesday's rehab start for Class A St. Lucie, which the manager said was encouraging.

-- David Wright is expected to get a day off during this four-game series in Washington, but Manuel has yet to decide which one.

Here's tonight's lineup:

J. Feliciano - CF

Tejada - SS

Wright - 3B

Davis - 1B

Francoeur -- RF

Carter - LF

Blanco - C

Cora - 2B

Santana - SP