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LaHair Out Of Lineup; Baker To Start At First

By Sam Zuba-

(CBS) It looks like Bryan LaHair won't get to make his first opening day start after all.

LaHair was scratched from the lineup with a sore back before the start of Thursday's game against the Nationals. Jeff Baker will start in his place and bat sixth.

"It's such a minor thing, but it's something I couldn't prevent," LaHair said. "It's a nerve thing. The nerve has settled down now, and the pain is pretty much gone. Now it's just getting back into the feel of things. I should be in there this weekend.

"The most important thing is to not go backwards - just keep going forward. Once I'm better, I should be good to go. That's what's most important."

LaHair, a 29-year-old rookie, may be available off the bench for Saturday's contest.

Opening Day Lineup

1) David DeJesus RF
2) Darwin Barney 2B
3) Starlin Castro SS
4) Alfonso Soriano LF
5) Ian Stewart 3B
6) Jeff Baker 1B
7) Marlon Byrd CF
8) Geovany Soto C
9) Ryan Dempster P

For live updates from Opening Day, follow Sam on Twitter @SamZuba

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