LaRoche is not in the lineup Wednesday, MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports. The Nationals clinched a playoff berth Tuesday, so manager Matt Williams is giving all of the regulars the day off Wednesday. Tyler Moore will start at first base, but LaRoche should be back in the lineup soon.

LaRoche went 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBI in Thursday's win over the Mets. LaRoche, who has smacked 24 home runs this season, has been on a power surge as of late, with five long balls in his last eight games.

LaRoche went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs Sunday against the Phillies. LaRoche got the better of Phillies ace Cole Hamels on two pitches, tying the game each time with his home runs. He now has 23 home runs and 80 RBI on the season to go along with his .261/.366/.464 batting line. LaRoche has also been on a home run binge of late, hitting four in the last four games.

LaRoche was 1-for-2 with a walk, a two-run home run, and a sacrifice fly in a losing effort against the Phillies on Friday night. Coming off a game on Wednesday where he drove in five despite not entering the game until the ninth inning, LaRoche appears to have recovered from the sore back he was troubled with earlier this week. He did leave this game early, but the Nationals enjoyed a seemingly comfortable lead and he could have been taking the rest of the night off as a precaution.

LaRoche (back) is hitting cleanup and playing first base Friday. He was able to play off the bench Wednesday after missing Tuesday's game with a sore back, and now it seems he is fully over the ailment, at least for now.

LaRoche (back) went 2-for-3 with a homer and five RBI after entering Wednesday's game as a pinch-hitter for Tyler Moore in the ninth inning. The home run -- LaRoche's 20th of the season -- came against Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen in the top of the ninth inning, while he added a two-run single in the 12th before an RBI groundout in the 14th. The Nationals are off Thursday, but LaRoche's ability to remain in the game for six innings Wednesday afternoon is a good indication that he'll likely return to the starting lineup Friday against Jerome Williams and the Phillies.

Manager Matt Williams said LaRoche (back) may be available off the bench Wednesday and should be able to return to the lineup Friday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports. LaRoche wasn't expected to be available before the weekend, but improvement in his back has led to possible availability off the bench Wednesday and the possibility he's back in the lineup Friday. Tyler Moore is in the lineup for LaRoche on Wednesday, and either he or Kevin Frandsen would likely start Friday as well if it turns out LaRoche can't go again.

Manager Matt Williams said there's a good chance LaRoche (back) sits Wednesday too, MASN's Dan Kolko reports. The Nationals have Thursday off, which would give LaRoche three straight days off if Williams chooses to hold him out Wednesday as well. He's still day-to-day, but owners shouldn't expect to have him back until the weekend.

LaRoche (back) is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Dodgers. LaRoche played in Monday's game, but the combination of a stiff back and the left-handed Clayton Kershaw on the mound will keep him out of the lineup Tuesday. Kevin Frandsen will start first base and bat eighth for the Nationals.

LaRoche is dealing with back stiffness, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports. LaRoche was lifted for pinch-hitter Kevin Frandsen after going 0-for-3 at the dish Monday, and it sounds like the back pain was to blame. He was held out of the lineup nearly a week ago with a similar ailment, but it seems to be a bit more serious this time around. Consider LaRoche day-to-day until further tests are performed Tuesday.