Michael Morse (lat strain) is not scheduled to play Thursday. Morse suffered a right lat strain while warming up before Tuesday's Grapefruit League game. The injury often sidelines players for an extended period of time, but the Nationals are calling him day-to-day for now.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo told reporters Tuesday that he's not concerned about Michael Morse's lat strain. Johnson said Morse should be back to full strength in a "day or two." The 29-year-old slugger suffered the injury Tuesday afternoon while warming up for the Nationals' Grapefruit League game against the Braves. It doesn't sound like it will have any affect on his ability to get ready for the opening of the 2012 regular season.

Michael Morse was scratched from Tuesday's Grapefruit League lineup due to a right lat strain. The Nationals are calling him "day-to-day." A lat strain is not typically an insignificant injury, but perhaps his is of the minor variety. Morse is 1-for-2 so far this spring.

According to the Associated Press, Mike Morse's two-year contract with the Nationals is worth about $10.5 million. The new deal buys out his remaining arbitration years and locks in some cost certainty for both sides. Morse, who turns 30 in March, picked up from where he left off in 2010 by batting .303/.360/.550 with 31 homers, 95 RBI and a .910 OPS last season. With Adam LaRoche on the comeback trail from shoulder surgery and Prince Fielder still a possibility on the free agent market, Morse is projected to the Nationals' regular left fielder in 2012.

According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, the Nationals and Mike Morse have agreed to a two-year contract. No word on the salary information yet, but the new deal will buy out his final two years of arbitration. Anything longer than a two-year deal and we likely could have ruled the Nationals out of the Prince Fielder sweepstakes, but this shouldn't have much of an impact on their future plans.

The Nationals and OF/1B Mike Morse avoided arbitration by agreeing to a multi-year contract extension. The deal was agreed upon prior to arbitration figures being exchanged earlier this week, but the Nationals waited until he passed a physical to make an official announcement. The exact terms of the deals aren't yet known, but should leak out soon. It will be interesting to see whether it will have any bearing on their pursuit of Prince Fielder. Morse, who turns 30 in March, is coming off a breakthrough season in which he batted .303 with 31 home runs, 95 RBI and a .910 OPS.

Mike Morse requested $5 million and was offered $3.5 million from the Nationals when arbitration figures were exchanged Tuesday. Morse, who earned $1.05 million in his first year of arbitration, is in line for a huge raise after hitting .303 with 31 home runs, 95 RBI and a .910 OPS last season. There isn't a huge gap between the two sides, but the Nationals did win arbitration hearings with left-hander Sean Burnett and right-hander Brian Bruney in February of 2010.

Mike Morse ripped a two-run homer in Sunday's win over the Braves. Wilson Ramos put the Nats up with a solo shot, and Morse provided a cushion with his blast. It was his 29th of the year in what has been a remarkable breakout campaign for the 29-year-old.

Mike Morse belted a three-run homer in Thursday's win over the Phillies. Morse was hitless in his first three plate appearances but then KO'd Roy Oswalt in the eighth inning with his 28th bomb of the season. One of this year's breakout stars, Morse is now batting .304 with 89 RBI to go along with his 28 taters.

Mike Morse is not in the Nationals' starting lineup Friday against the Marlins. We haven't heard anything about an injury recently, so he's likely getting the day off. Roger Bernadina will make the start in left field Friday and bat second against right-hander Javier Vazquez.