Call to the pen
Fansided

Washington Nationals: Adam Eaton’s latest setback a tolerable blow

By Drew Douglas

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 05: Adam Eaton #2 of the Washington Nationals leaves the game after speaking with the team trainer during the home opener for the Nationals against the New York Mets April 05, 2018, at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. The Mets won the game 8-2. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 05: Adam Eaton #2 of the Washington Nationals leaves the game after speaking with the team trainer during the home opener for the Nationals against the New York Mets April 05, 2018, at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. The Mets won the game 8-2. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Washington Nationals outfielder Adam Eaton has played in just 31 games over the last two years and recently underwent another surgery.

The Washington Nationals have dealt with a plethora of injuries to begin 2018, with a new injury seemingly popping up every day. Unfortunately, hours before losing catcher Matt Wieters to a leg injury, the Nats announced some unfortunate news regarding Adam Eaton‘s rehab.

On Thursday, Eaton underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove a small piece of cartilage from his left ankle.

Leg injuries are nothing new for Eaton, as he missed most of 2017 after tearing up his knee and ankle in late-April. He appeared to be close to full strength to begin in 2018, as he slashed .345/.424/.655 in eight games, but he found himself back on the disabled list rather quickly.

More from Call to the Pen

Some scar tissue broke loose in Eaton’s ankle, which, combined with a bone bruise, forced him to the disabled list. It was believed to be a minor injury at the time, but he remains on the disabled list a month later and has now undergone surgery.

Although Eaton’s most recent surgery does not even begin to compare to the major surgery he underwent a year ago, it is a setback. The Nats do not have a firm timetable for his return, but there is hope that he will return in 2018.

Until Eaton returns, the Nats will rely on Trea Turner to be a spark plug at the top of the lineup.

Defensively, Matt Adams, Howie Kendrick, and Andrew Stevenson will receive most of the reps in left field. Adams is not much of a defender, but he has forced his way into the lineup. Despite being a bench player, he ranks fifth in the National League with 10 homers. Incredibly, each player above him has at least 40 more at-bats.

Unfortunately, Ryan Zimmerman has been a bit injury-prone as well. With Zimmerman out of the lineup, Adams can play his natural position of first base.

Kendrick is a better defender in the outfield, but he is primarily an infielder as well. He has received a bulk of the playing time at second base with Daniel Murphy on the disabled list, but Wilmer Difo‘s resurgence has allowed Dave Martinez to pencil Kendrick into the outfield more often.

Finally, Stevenson, an elite defender, will see some time in left. The former LSU standout uses his blazing speed to turn the outfield into a black hole, but he is not the offensive threat that Adams and Kendrick are.

While Stevenson is a defense-first player at this stage in his career, his offensive production is nothing to be scoffed at. After working with hitting coach Kevin Long throughout the offseason, Stevenson is hitting .323 in 16 games.

Kendrick will be needed to fill in at second base until Murphy returns, creating opportunities for Adams and Stevenson. However, once the Nats’ all-star second baseman makes his season debut, Adams and Kendrick could platoon in left field.

Adams has a history of struggling against lefties, meaning he and Kendrick could form a natural platoon. Stevenson can also provide value by getting some starts and entering as a late-inning defensive replacement.

This would be a perfect opportunity to give uber-prospect Victor Robles some playing time with the Washington Nationals, but he is recovering from an injury of his own. He injured his elbow on an awkward diving play in mid-April and will not return for at least a few months.

Next: NL East is baseball's most intriguing division

Although losing Adam Eaton stings, the Washington Nationals are well-equipped to handle the setback. It would be nice to have him back in time for the postseason, but Adams, Kendrick, and Stevenson can keep the ship afloat in the meantime.

Home/Washington Nationals