Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth left Friday’s game against the San Diego Padres after he was hit on the wrist by a pitch. He was out of the lineup Saturday.
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Werth Out of Saturday’s Lineup
Saturday, May 16
Werth was not in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Padres, according to James Wagner of the Washington Post.
According to William Ladson of MLB.com, “Werth is not expected to play the next two games. He hopes the swelling will go down in order to have an MRI on his left wrist.”
Nationals on MASN noted Friday that Werth left the game after he was hit on the wrist with a pitch. The Nationals later noted that he’d be re-evaluated Saturday after X-rays came back negative.
It is far too early in the season to put too much weight on individual games, but the Nationals are battling with the New York Mets for first place in the National League East. Losing Werth for an extended amount of time, even this early in the season, would be a difficult blow to Washington’s chances at reaching the postseason in a year it has World Series aspirations.
Werth was hitting .208 with two home runs and 12 RBI entering play Friday, but he is a former All-Star and an important cog in the middle of the Nationals lineup alongside Bryce Harper. He is a better player than the early numbers indicate.
Dan Kolko of MASN and MLB Network noted that the injury was even more worrisome because Werth has dealt with wrist problems in the past:
Tyler Moore came in for Werth and would likely be asked to play a more significant role in the lineup if Werth is out for an extended amount of time.
Moore doesn’t boast the power that Werth does in the heart of the order, but he is a 28-year-old veteran who hit as many as 10 home runs in a season (2012). If nothing else, he and Michael Taylor can keep the Nationals afloat until Werth returns.
Taylor already has four doubles, three home runs and a triple this season and brings solid speed to the table (three stolen bases in 23 games entering play Friday).
Washington has a lethal starting pitching rotation and depth across the board and is as well-suited as any team in the league to deal with a critical injury.
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