Laynce Nix will start at first base against Pirates' right-hander James McDonald on Saturday.

The Phillies are looking for more production from their lineup after going a combined 1-for-14 against Erik Bedard on Thursday. Nix will hit fifth in the order. John Mayberry Jr. will start in left field and bat sixth.

Laynce Nix went 0-for-3 on Friday and remained stuck one one RBI for the spring.

It looks like Nix will occupy a bench role with Ty Wigginton starting at first base and John Mayberry Jr. played left field early on. And, really, if he's not going to be good enough to start against righties with Ryan Howard out, one wonders why the Phillies signed him in the first place.

Laynce Nix (ribs) felt "pretty good" after taking five at-bats during a minor league game Saturday.

Nix isn't in Sunday's lineup but is expected to return soon. He's been nursing a rib injury for about a week, but it's not a big deal. The veteran bench player has also had hamstring issues during camp.

Laynce Nix (ribs) was scratched from Thursday's lineup against the Rays.

Nix suffered bruised ribs on a play at home plate Monday and still isn't ready to return to the lineup. Brent Clevlen will replace him in left field.

Laynce Nix bruised a rib on a play at home plate Monday and will be sidelined a few days.

Nix also missed action earlier this spring due to a tight hamstring. The 31-year-old has four singles and five walks in 23 Grapefruit League plate appearances.

Laynce Nix is dealing with tightness in his hamstring that's keeping him from playing the outfield early on in camp.

The Phillies insist it's only mild tightness, but Nix will be limited to pinch-hitting and designated hitter roles for the time being. "He could play, but I don't want him to play just yet," manager Charlie Manuel said. The veteran bench player should be able to get in some time in the outfield and at first base before long.

Phillies signed OF Laynce Nix to a two-year, $2.5 million contract.

Nix agreed to the deal on Sunday and it was finalized on Monday. The 31-year-old slugged 16 home runs in just 350 plate appearances this past year for the Nationals and will make a nice left-handed pinch-hitter in Philly.

The Phillies have reached a two-year contract agreement with free agent outfielder Laynce Nix, according to Jim Salsbury of CSNphilly.com.

The deal is pending a physical. The 31-year-old outfielder posted a .250/.299/.451 slash line in 351 plate appearances for the Nationals last season. He has big-time power against right-handed pitching but doesn't get on base much and can't hit a lick against southpaws (.506 career OPS). All in all, he should be a decent bat bench and offer the Phillies some lineup versatility.

According to Amanda Comak of the Washington Times, the Nationals and Laynce Nix have exchanged figures about a new contract.

Nix joined the Nationals on a minor league contract in February. The 30-year-old outfielder is batting .251/.300/.452 with 16 homers, 44 RBI and a .752 OPS over 350 plate appearances this season. Teammates Rick Ankiel and Jonny Gomes have also expressed interest in returning to the Nationals next season.

Laynce Nix sprinted Friday for the first time since injuring his groin.

Nix has been limited to pinch-hitting duty since injuring the groin on September 1, but he thinks he'll be available to start "in the next few days." The outfielder is batting .255/.302/.467 with 16 homers this season.

Laynce Nix popped out as a pinch-hitter in Thursday's loss to the Dodgers.

It was his first plate appearance in a week, as he had been sidelined by a strained right groin. It's not clear when Nix might be available to start again.

Laynce Nix (groin) only expects to miss a few days.

Nix was pulled from Thursday's game after suffering a right groin strain. It's the type of injury that often sends a player to the disabled list, but Nix's particular strain might be of the minor variety. He was replaced in right field by Rick Ankiel.

Laynce Nix was pulled from Thursday's game after suffering a right groin strain.

Nix could be out for a couple of weeks if the injury is as bad as it sounds. Rick Ankiel replaced him.

Laynce Nix returned to the starting lineup Thursday and went 0-for-3 with a walk against the Cubs.

Nix hadn't started in six days duye to flu-like symptoms.

Laynce Nix returned to action on Wednesday August 10.

Laynce Nix was out Sunday due to flu-like symptoms.

Nix spent most of Sunday's game sleeping in the clubhouse before entering as a pinch-hitter in the top of the ninth inning. The outfielder might not be available to start Monday night against the Cubs either.

Laynce Nix went 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBI and made his first career appearance at first base on Monday.

Manager Davey Johnson had Nix working out at first base over the weekend in case he was needed there with Mike Morse hurting. He started in left field today, but he shifted to first after Matt Stairs was removed in a double-switch.

Laynce Nix fielded grounders at first base prior to Sunday's game.

Nix has never played anywhere other than the outfield in his time as a pro, but Nationals manager Davey Johnson wants to have him prepared to play there in an emergency. "For having not played," Nix said, "I feel pretty comfortable doing it."

Laynce Nix (Achilles) is back in Friday's lineup against the Pirates.

Nix missed Wednesday's game in order to rest a sore right Achilles' tendon. "From what I gather, the injury is always going to bother him," said Nationals manager Davey Johnson. "I'm hopeful that if he plays on it when it bothers him, it's not going to be something that can get worse. He's been a big addition to our offense (and) I'd hate to have to sit him down." Health-permitting, Johnson plans to use Nix against more left-handed starters moving forward.

Laynce Nix laced three singles and added a solo homer en route to a 4-for-4 performance in the Nationals' 11-5 loss to the Angels on Tuesday.

That's the good news. The bad news is that he was forced to leave the game with tightness in his left Achilles. Nationals manager Davey Johnson stated that Nix will not play on Wednesday meaning he will have almost 72 hours to rest before Friday night's home game against the Pirates.