ST. LOUIS _ A Washington bullpen that ranks last in the National League in ERA will be without its closer for the first game of the National League Championship Series.
Daniel Hudson is on paternity leave with his wife, who gave birth Friday. He could return as soon as Saturday. Manager Dave Martinez said Sean Doolittle would be the closer, if needed.
"Apparently the baby didn't want to come out until later on this morning," manager Dave Martinez said. "So everything's fine. He had a little girl _ congratulate him and his wife. But we're going to miss him today. He's going to try to get back here possibly tomorrow."
Hudson has appeared in four postseason games _ three against the Dodgers _ recording two saves and a win. He has not allowed a run in 3 2/3 innings although he has surrendered four hits.
"We have enough weapons in that bullpen to hold off," Martinez said. "It's one game. We'll figure it out. When the game starts we'll see where we're at and then go from there."
Said Cardinals manager Mike Shildt: "Hopefully we wouldn't be in position for him to pitch anyway. We like to keep the closer out of the game."
Meanwhile, Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki is out of the lineup after being struck on the hand and head by a pitch thrown by the Dodgers' Walker Buehler on Wednesday.
The pitch knocked Suzuki to the ground, where he stayed for a couple of minutes. He had started every postseason game until Game 1 of the NLCS, going 0 for 12. He is replaced by Yan Gomes.
"He still has more tests to take," Martinez said. "I'll know more in the coming hours or something like that, but we need to be cautious. When it comes to a head injury, we've got to make sure that he's good to go."
