The Nationals said Juan Soto would play. And play he will. The 19-year-old slugging sensation is making his first MLB start this evening, batting sixth and playing left field even against Padres left-hander Robbie Erlin. Davey Martinez held the kid out of Sunday’s lineup against another lefty, Alex Wood, but the book on Soto is that he can handle left-handed pitching, so he’s about to get his first taste of it tonight.

Soto slots into a Nationals lineup ravaged by injuries, batting behind Pedro Severino (bumped up to the No. 5 spot) and in front of Wilmer Difo (batting seventh). They’ll all get their first look at Erlin, who makes only his second start of the season after posting a 1.96 ERA in 13 relief appearances.

Gio Gonzalez gets the start for the Nationals, who have a new face in their bullpen. With Ryan Madson officially placed on the 10-day disabled list with a pectoral muscle strain, veteran lefty Tim Collins was promoted from Triple-A Syracuse. Collins, 28, was a key member of the Royals’ bullpen from 2011-14 but hasn’t pitched in the majors since due to two Tommy John surgeries. The mere fact he’s back on a big league roster four years later is quite an accomplishment for him. (To make room for Collins on the 40-man roster, the Nationals transferred Howie Kendrick, who is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon, to the 60-day DL.

SAN DIEGO PADRES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Where: Nationals Park

Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT

TV: MASN, MLB.tv

Radio: 99.1 FM, MLB.com

Weather: Partly cloudy, 77 degrees, wind 8 mph right field to left field

NATIONALS

SS Trea Turner

RF Bryce Harper

3B Anthony Rendon

1B Mark Reynolds

C Pedro Severino

LF Juan Soto

2B Wilmer Difo

CF Michael A. Taylor

LHP Gio Gonzalez

PADRES

LF Matt Szczur

1B Eric Hosmer

3B Christian Villanueva

2B Jose Pirela

RF Franmil Reyes

SS Freddy Galvis

C A.J. Ellis

CF Manuel Margot

LHP Robbie Erlin