NEW YORK -- Washington Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann was scratched from his scheduled start against the New York Mets on Thursday because of flu-like symptoms. Tanner Roark took over as the starting pitcher for the finale of the opening three-game series. He had been slated to start Washingtons home opener Friday against the Atlanta Braves. Nationals manager Matt Williams said Zimmermann was being sent back to Washington ahead of the team and being given fluids. He said the pitcher, who went 19-9 with a 3.25 ERA last year, was feeling fine Wednesday but took ill after the game. "Hes running a fever. He was up all night throwing up," Williams said. "Evidently hes feeling pretty under the weather." Roark, a 27-year-old right-hander, was 7-1 with a 1.51 ERA in five starts and nine relief appearances as a rookie last year, striking out 40 and walking 11 in 53 2-3 innings. He was informed of the change in plans during a phone call Thursday morning from pitching coach Steve McCatty. Williams hopes Taylor Jordan is ready to pitch Friday on short rest. While his last exhibition appearance was March 24, he threw a simulated outing this week and would be starting on short rest. Washingtons second option would be a series of relievers. "If hes not ready to go tomorrow, then thats going to have to be our option," Williams said. NOTES: RHP Doug Fister, sidelined by a strained muscle on the right side of his upper back, was scheduled to play catch. Fister can be activated April 7. Oakland Athletics Pro Shop . Its other five picks were all six foot or better, with three at 6-1 or above. Third-round pick Brett Lernout stands six foot four and weighs 206 pounds. Athletics Jerseys China . -- Slugger Jose Abreu, All-Star left-hander Chris Sale and closer Matt Lindstrom are on the disabled list. https://www.cheapathleticsonline.com/. Price also posted the longest shutout sequence since 1960 at 164:19 minutes. He stopped a combined 55 shots in Canadas final two games and 70 of 71 shots in Canadas three elimination games, allowing only a breakaway goal to Lauris Darzins of Latvia. For his efforts, Price was named best goalkeeper by the tournament directorate. Prices outstanding play is marred only by the extremely strong defensive play of Canadas top six defencemen; Shea Weber, Duncan Keith, Drew Doughty, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester. Chris Bassitt Athletics Jersey . - The Minnesota Vikings have ruled Christian Ponder out for Sundays game at Baltimore, because the quarterback has not yet passed all of his post-concussion tests. Oakland Athletics Gear . PAUL, Minn.EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Eskimos have released Canadian defensive back Donovan Alexander. In three seasons playing safety with Edmonton, he recorded 121 defensive tackles, five special teams tackles and seven interceptions. He was a divisional all-star in 2012. Drafted by Montreal in the third round in 2007, he played two seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders before signing with the Eskimos as a free agent in 2011.dddddddddddd The 28-year-old Winnipeg native played college football in North Dakota. ' ' '