Kurt Suzuki has MRI on hip flexor, still uncertain for Game 5

Washington Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki had an MRI Saturday on his right hip flexor, which he injured in Game 3 of the World Series the night before, and his availability for Sunday’s Game 5 is still unknown.

Suzuki hurt the muscle when blocking a pitch in the dirt Friday. He finished that half-inning but then decided he couldn’t continue at his best, and Yan Gomes replaced him for the rest of the game.

“I know he’s in there getting treatment right now, and if he wakes up, he’s going to come in early and work on his hip flexor,” Martinez said after Game 4 Saturday night. “If he feels good, then possibly he gets a chance to play.”

In the worst-case scenario, Suzuki would be out for a few days, and Raudy Read would be the most likely replacement for him on the 25-man roster.

Gomes started behind the plate for Game 4. Gomes is the usual batterymate for starter Patrick Corbin, so he was likely going to play Saturday even if Suzuki wasn’t hurt.

But Suzuki usually catches Max Scherzer, who will start Game 5.

“We’ve worked really well together,” Scherzer said. “Just being in sync at what pitch to throw and even in big situations. But I’ve also worked with Yan this year several times … We do have a good rapport with each other. We do understand what’s going on, and Yan’s very astute to the game of being able to watch what’s gong on and how I see those guys and what we want to do.”