Jayson Werth Out at Least 12 Weeks
By Editorial Staff
Jayson Werth underwent surgery to repair his broken left wrist yesterday. According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, the Washington Nationals will be without their right fielder for at least 12 weeks. The Nationals initially said they were hoping Werth would only miss six weeks due to the injury.
Werth sustained his injury while attempting to make a sliding catch during Sunday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Werth was immediately removed from the game and Nationals fans feared the worst. It was later determined that Werth had broken the same wrist that cost him the entire 2006 season.
Following the game in which Werth sustained his injury, the Nationals said that they were prepared to move forward with an outfield platoon of Roger Bernadina and Xavier Nady. While this could be a sustainable option for short time, a team hoping to contend this season may not be satisfied settling on this platoon for the 12 weeks or more they figure to be without Werth.
Yesterday we looked at several options the Nationals could target if they decided to look outside the organization for outfield assistance. Minnesota Twins outfielder Denard Span is a player that’s been tied to the Nationals for some time. Other potential targets include Los Angeles Angels slugger Mark Trumbo and San Diego Padres corner outfielder Carlos Quentin.
The Nationals could have already been in the market for additional offense this summer even before Werth’s significant injury. Washington has already spent parts of the season without middle-of-the-order bats Ryan Zimmerman and Mike Morse, and they currently sit 28th in the majors in runs scored. Washington has received especially atrocious production out of their left fielders (.406 OPS) and third basemen (.598 OPS).
While Zimmerman and Bryce Harper should help bridge that disparity, the Nationals could find themselves in the market for an impact bat this summer if their offense isn’t able to turn things up a notch.
For more on the Nationals be sure to check out District on Deck.
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