Jayson Werth Activated By Nationals

Just two days ago, it seemed as if Jayson Werth wouldn’t be ready to return to the major leagues until next week:

Jayson Werth will likely need to play in two to three more minor league rehab games before returning to the Nationals. Originally, the Nationals had hoped for Werth to return by the first week of August, and that still could be the case, but likely not until the end of the week.

Thursday, though, the Nats must have figured he was indeed ready:

OFFICIAL: #Nats activate and reinstate OF Jayson Werth from the 60-day DL and place RHP Henry Rodriguez on the 15-day DL

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 2, 2012

Werth was off to a fine .276/.372/.439 start before the wrist injury that has had him sidelined since early May. He hit .296/.457/.407 in nine rehab-assignment games, though with no home runs. With a wrist injury, power could be slower to return, but he’s back, and in the Nats’ lineup Thursday night against his old team, the Phillies, batting sixth and playing center field.

For more on the Nationals, please visit Federal Baseball and SB Nation DC.

Jayson Werth Close To Rehab Assignment

Outfielder Jayson Werth of the Washington Nationals broke his wrist trying to make a catch back in May against the Phillies, and broke his left wrist. At the time, it was announced he could be out for up to 12 weeks, which would make an early-August return possible.

That timetable’s starting to look good for Werth and the Nats. Mark Zuckerman:

Werth, meanwhile, took a major step forward today when he took a full round of batting practice for the first time since breaking his left wrist on May 6. The veteran outfielder didn’t show any rust at all, at one point driving seven consecutive pitches over the fence in either left or center field.

“I was really pleasantly surprised,” manager Davey Johnson said. “I didn’t think he’d be hitting for another week, and he didn’t seem like he felt any discomfort.”

Things went so well for Werth that he requested to immediately begin a minor-league rehab assignment tomorrow, and the Nationals might oblige.

“After I saw him hit, I don’t see any reason to think differently,” Johnson said.

Zuckerman’s report indicates it could be a while before Werth is back in major-league action; the long layoff means he’d need a while to get back in shape and get his timing down, but the Nats still hope to have him back in about two weeks.

For more on the Nats, please visit Federal Baseball and SB Nation DC.

Nats' Jayson Werth DL'd, But Ryan Zimmerman Returns

The Nationals have lost Jayson Werth to the DL, perhaps for up to 12 weeks; just in the nick of time, Ryan Zimmerman will return to action Tuesday.

Jayson Werth Might Miss 12 Weeks After Surgery

Jayson Werth dove for a fly ball during Sunday's Phillies/Nationals game, and while we enjoy .giffing everything that isn't nailed to the floor, I'm pretty sure you don't want to see this one. Werth's wrist went in an unnatural direction, and it was pretty clear that a little ice wasn't going to be the prescription.

The original diagnosis was that Werth was going to miss at least six weeks. But from Bill Ladson, we have word that it could be worse than that:

#Nats RF Jayson Werth had left wrist surgery today. He will be out for more than six weeks. I was told at least 12 weeks. #Nats #MLB

— William Ladson (@washingnats) May 7, 2012

That's three full months on the shelf for one of the Nats' better hitters, who was having a fine rebound season. The Nationals are in first place, but they've been surprisingly miserable at the plate, with a team OPS+ of 84 and the third-worst runs-scored total in the National League. Werth was one of the few hitters doing anything for the Nationals, but his absence will likely mean more Xavier Nady and Rick Ankiel in the outfield.

Jayson Werth Suffers Broken Wrist, Will Miss 6 Weeks Or More

Jayson Werth looks set for a long injury layoff, potentially hindering the Washington Nationals' chances of winning the NL East crown. Werth left the Nationals' game against the Philadelphia Phillies, a 9-3 loss, in the top of the 6th inning after suffering a wrist injury while trying to make a sliding catch on a fly ball. According to Kevin Jones of WUSA9 in Washington, he's going to miss at least six weeks.

Breaking news: Jayson Werth has a broken wrist. Not sure of timetable. Will see a specialist tomorrow. Out at least 6 week. @wusa9

— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) May 7, 2012

The Nationals are already short of both bats and bodies in outfield with third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and utility man Mark DeRosa on the disabled list. Hopefully for the Nationals, they receive some good news on Monday and Werth isn't out any longer than six weeks.

For more coverage of the Nationals and Werth's injury, stay tuned to Federal Baseball.

Jayson Werth Injures Wrist In Game Against The Phillies

Jayson Werth left Sunday's game after injuring his left wrist while attempting to make a sliding catch.