Manager Dusty Baker expressed worries about Murphy being ready for the season due to his lack of game action at the WBC, Mark Zuckerman of MASN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy left the Nationals to join Team USA at the WBC 12 days ago, and since then has only registered 11 at-bats, none of which have come in the last week. It doesn't help that he has struggled in his limited at-bats this spring, going 1-for-11 (.091) at the WBC and 3-for-17 (.176) with the Nationals before then. "He didn't have his stuff together when he left," Baker said. "And how are you gonna get yourself together if you're not playing? Batting practice is one thing, but competition is something else. I just hope we can get him enough work." The 31-year-old could return Saturday at the earlier, but could be away until next Wednesday if the USA advances. His workload will be something to monitor, and it seems Baker may choose to ease him into the start of the season if he isn't able to get enough work in. Murphy finished second in the NL MVP voting last season while batting .347 with a league-best .985 OPS and should still be counted on for another big season.

Murphy left to join Team USA for the WBC following Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

He'll miss a couple of weeks of camp, barring a shocking collapse by the American squad in the tournament. Murphy is just 3-for-17 to begin the spring, but he'll have plenty of time to work any kinks out of his swing before Opening Day.

Murphy will play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He and Ian Kinsler are the only second basemen listed on Team USA's roster, so expect Murphy to see plenty of action during the tournament. Coming off a career season that ended with a whimper due to a glute strain, the most important thing for Murphy from a fantasy perspective will be simply staying healthy.

Nationals trainers have told Murphy that the upper leg problems he encountered late in 2016 could recur, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy at least emphasized that he's healthy now, per MASN's Mark Zuckerman, but this is still worrying news. Murphy missed 13 straight games to end the 2016 season and hit .150 during the NLDS. He bounced back to hit .438 in the NLCS, but recurring leg injuries for 31-year-old second basemen whom already had limited range on defense are not ideal. He's still one of the top players in fantasy, it might just be wise to have a backup in line.

Murphy went 3-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and two RBI in Sunday's Game 2 win over the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

He's now 4-for-6 in the series, as the time off he received at the end of September and into October appears to have done Murphy a world of good. He'll need to stay sharp Monday back in Los Angeles against Kenta Maeda, a pitcher he didn't face during the regular season.

Murphy (upper leg) is in the lineup for Game 1 of the NLDS on Friday, Chase Hughes of CSN Mid-Atlantic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy missed a good chunk of September with an upper leg injury, but as expected, the All-Star is back to full health and ready to contribute to the Nationals' postseason run. He'll man second base and bat cleanup against Dodgers' starter Clayton Kershaw.

GM Mike Rizzo expects Murphy (upper leg) to be ready for the Nationals' playoff opener Friday, CSN's Chase Hughes reports.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy's injury limited him to just three at-bats after Sept. 17, but the Nationals have been, and apparently remain, optimistic that he will be on the field when the team kicks off postseason play Friday against the Dodgers.

Murphy (upper leg) received a pinch-hit at-bat in Sunday's season finale.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy did not play in the previous 10 games and still has not started a game since Sept. 17, but he was feeling good enough to get in one more at-bat before the regular season concluded. Despite playing sparingly the last couple weeks, Murphy is expected to be ready to go when the Nationals kick off postseason play Friday.

The Nationals expect to get Murphy (glute) back for Game 1 of the NLDS on Oct. 7, the Washington Post's Chelsea Janes reports. "We expect him to be ready for the 7th," manager Dusty Baker said.

EDGE Analysis

This certainly sounds like Murphy won't return during the regular season. Wilmer Difo and Stephen Drew should continue to split time at the keystone over the final four games.

Murphy (glute) is out of Thursday's lineup against the Diamondbacks, CSN Mid-Atlantic's Chase Hughes reports.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy will miss his eighth game in a row with the glute strain, and it remains to be seen if he will be able to return during the regular season. Wilmer Difo will start at second base and hit second Thursday.