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.

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