Washington Nationals 2B Daniel Murphy won't start again until postseason

The Washington Nationals plan to exercise caution with Daniel Murphy, sitting the injured second baseman for the rest of the regular season with the hope that he's ready to return for the playoffs, manager Dusty Baker said Thursday.

Murphy, who has been sidelined with a strained buttocks since Sept. 17, would be reduced to pinch-hitting duty if needed in the Nationals' final four regular-season games.

Washington already has secured its third NL East title in five years and awaits its opponent in the division series, which begins on Oct. 7.

Murphy's .347 batting average trails only Colorado Rockies second baseman D.J. LeMahieu (.349). The 31-year-old Murphy also leads the Nationals in homers (25), RBIs (104) and hits (184).