Morgan should return to Nationals lineup Saturday

Nationals center fielder Nyjer Morgan is expected to return to the team's starting lineup Saturday after serving an eight-game suspension.

Morgan's suspension wraps up with Friday's game against Atlanta, and Nationals manager Jim Riggleman says, ''I anticipate he'll be in the lineup tomorrow.''

Morgan first was given a seven-game suspension Aug. 25, when the commissioner's office said he deliberately threw a baseball into the stands. While that was being appealed, Morgan was given an eight-game suspension Sept. 3, two days after charging the mound, precipitating a brawl with the Marlins.

After an appeal, Major League Baseball banned him for eight games, rather than the original penalties of two bans totaling 15 games.