Livan Hernandez will start Wednesday on short rest

With the Nationals in need of a starter Wednesday because of their doubleheader this past Saturday, staff ace Livan Hernandez will start on three days rest against the New York Mets. Hernandez has surprisingly been the Nationals best pitcher. Unsurprisingly, he is also their most durable.

"I've done it before," Hernandez said. "It'd be really nice. Try something different."

Hernandez threw 100 pitches in a loss to Ubaldo Jimenez in the first game Saturday, saying afterward, "100's nothing." The Nationals were leaning toward choosing Hernandez, and then he requested the assignment.

"We know 100 isn't much of a strain on him," Manager Jim Riggleman said. "He's a smart guy. He popped his head in [to Riggleman's office] and said, 'I'm sure we're going to need a pitcher Wednesday.' He said, 'Let me pitch that day.' We picked him, and he volunteered for it at the same time."

In his career, Hernandez has started on short rest six times, going 0-4 with a 4.26 ERA, slightly less than his 4.39 career ERA. He allowed 56 base runners in 38 innings in those six starts.

Hernandez has started the season as one of the best pitchers in baseball, compiling a 1.46 ERA while losing just twice, both times to leading Cy Young candidate Jimenez. Still, Hernandez is unconcerned about interrupting his season-opening roll.

"I don't think that way," Hernandez said. "I know I'm going to feel good. I don't think something bad is going to happen."