Nationals manager Manny Acta said this morning that right-hander Shawn Hill will likely miss his scheduled start Wednesday against the Phillies after receiving a cortisone shot in his right elbow Saturday morning. Hill said he's capable of pitching, but with the injury troubles he's had in the past, the Nationals don't want to take the chance. "For the good of the kid, we're probably going to skip him," Acta said.

He didn't say who would start in Hill's place, adding the decision would probably be made tomorrow. Matt Chico is a candidate to make the spot start out of the bullpen, though it's possible the Nationals could call up a minor leaguer.

Acta said he's not anticipating Hill missing more than one start. And once the cortisone shot takes effect, Hill said, he might be able to make progress toward a normal throwing schedule between starts--which he hasn't had all season after starting the year on the disabled list.

"The past couple starts, it's just been the elbow, the irritation, just getting fluid in there where I'm not able to get the full extension," Hill said. "So if that goes away from the cortisone shot, which it most likely will, just being soft tissue stuff. Hopefully after this start or the next start, I'm not going to jump right into it, start long tossing and bullpens, but ease back into a more normal routine."

One other note: Austin Kearns was a late scratch from the lineup this morning, being removed from the seventh spot in the lineup for Elijah Dukes. Acta said he'd discuss it after the game.

We're about 20 minutes from starting here after what will end up being a two-hour rain delay. Here's the lineup:

Felipe Lopez 2B
Cristian Guzman SS
Ryan Zimmerman 3B
Dmitri Young DH
Aaron Boone 1B
Lastings Milledge CF
Elijah Dukes RF
Rob Mackowiak LF
Wil Nieves C

John Lannan P