Scherzer hoping to make his next scheduled start

ATLANTA (AP) Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer says he might miss just one start with a sprained right thumb.

Scherzer, who was injured while batting last week, had his turn against Atlanta skipped on Tuesday night.

The Nationals, who entered on a six-game losing streak, recalled A.J. Cole from Triple-A Syracuse to make his first big league start.

Scherzer, who signed a $210 million, seven-year contract as a free agent in January, said he threw all of his pitches at 100 percent during a bullpen session and reported no problems afterward.

''I've got to see how I feel tomorrow, make sure there's nothing,'' he said. ''If I am compensating for any of those pitches, it's going to come through and I'm going to feel tightness - probably in my forearm would be the most likely location if there is anything that I'm compensating for.''

Cole had a 2.40 ERA and didn't get a decision in three starts this season for Triple-A Syracuse.

Rafael Martin was optioned to Syracuse to make room for Cole on the 25-man roster.

Nationals manager Matt Williams says it is possible that Scherzer could return to the rotation before his next scheduled start, Sunday at the New York Mets.

''It depends on how he comes out of it, `cause he really cranked on his slider today, really got after it in the bullpen,'' Williams said. ''Tomorrow will be the telling day for him.''