For the Washington Nationals fans who were anticipating the return of slugger Michael Morse on Thursday in the team's opening game against the Cincinnati Reds, it won't happen.

Morse is still suffering from back soreness, an injury he attained at the end of spring training which caused the Nationals to place him on the disabled list at the start of the season. Morse would have been eligible to be activate back into the lineup today, but said he felt soreness in his throwing.

Davey says Morse had trouble reaching the shortstop from left field and took himself out of the game in Hagerstown. "That stresses me."

— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) April 10, 2012

Michael Morse felt soreness throwing last night, had to be re-examined by team docs. He's not playing Thursday. Out indefinitely.

— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) April 10, 2012

Read more news and notes on the Nationals at the Federal Baseball blog.