Washington Nationals Receive “Alarming Report” on Jayson Werth’s Health

Jayson Werth’s strained hamstring will keep him out of the lineup for longer than originally expected. (Image Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)

A strained hamstring has kept Jayson Werth on the sidelines since early May and it would seem as though he’ll be on the shelf a little longer. Werth would have been eligible to come off the disabled list this weekend, but the team received what Davey Johnson termed an “alarming report” following another MRI on Werth’s leg, according to a source from The Washington Times (via SI.com’s Truth & Rumors section). No formal timetable has been established for Werth’s return but it’s expected that he’ll miss at least two additional weeks.

Having missed about half of the 2012 season, expectations were a little high in Washington that Werth could bounce back and produce at a fraction of the rate that landed him a major free agent contract from Washington prior to the 2011 season. He’s yet to live up the $127 Million contract that he received, but has also given the Nationals little reason or room to move it/him. Werth had been hitting .260/.308/.400 in 107 PA on the year before landing on the DL.

Roger Bernadina (.125/.197/.161, 61 PA) and Tyler Moore (.127/.164/.238, 67 PA) have been the prime beneficiaries of extra playing time in Werth’s absence and the pair will likely continue to find themselves in the lineup for the time being.