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.
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