Jayson Werth Suffers Broken Wrist

Jayson Werth has sustained a broken wrist and could miss the remainder of the 2012 season.  Werth injured his wrist during last night’s contest against the Philadelphia Phillies.  The extent of Werth’s injury will be determined today and, depending on the severity of the break, the Washington Nationals outfielder could miss anywhere from six weeks to the rest of the season.

Werth sustained the injury while making a sliding catch last night.  Following the injury, Werth was immediately removed from the contest.  It was later determined that Werth suffered a broken wrist, though the severity of the break has yet to be determined.

The injury is to the same wrist that cost Werth the 2006 season.  If it’s only a break, Werth could miss a month or two.  If it’s determined that Werth’s wrist sustained even greater damage than the break, the slugger could be forced to miss three to four months or perhaps the rest of the 2012 season.

Werth had gotten off to a much better start this season than he did in 2011.  Over his first 27 games and 98 at-bats, Werth hit at a clip of .276/.372/.439 with nine extra base hits, 12 RBIs and three stolen bases.

For the time being, Nationals manager Davey Johnson will platoon Xavier Nady and Roger Bernadina in left field, making Bryce Harper Washington’s regular in right.  Depending on the severity of Werth’s injury, the Nationals could look to the trade market to acquire an outfielder.

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