Jayson Werth Injury: Nationals Outfielder Finally Off DL

Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth has finally returned from a long injury layoff. He hasn't appeared in a game for the Nats since mid-May, when he suffered an injury to his left wrist. The team announced on Thursday that he had been activated from the 60-day disabled list, while Henry Rodriguez has been placed on the 15-day disabled list.

The #Nationals today activated and reinstated OF Jayson Werth from the 60-day DL (LWrist) and placed Henry Rodriguez on the 15 day DL (back)

— Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) August 2, 2012

Werth struggled to live up to his massive new contract in his first year with the Nationals in 2011 and was off to a slightly better start in 2012 before he got injured. The Nationals are coming off two straight losses against the Philadelphia Philles, and their offense has been non-existent in those two games. Werth's return will be very welcome as the Nats attempt to hold off the Atlanta Braves in the race for the NL East division title.

Here's a look at Washington's lineup for Thursday's series finale against Philadelphia. Contrary to the tweet, Werth is actually starting in center field.

#Nats 8/2 Lineup: Espinosa SS, Harper RF, Zimmerman 3B, Morse LF, LaRoche 1B, Werth RF, Leon C, Lombo 2B, Detwiler LHP

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 2, 2012

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Jayson Werth Injury: Weather Prevents First Rehab Start At Potomac

Those hoping to see injured Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth begin his rehab assignment in Potomac on Friday night will have to wait, as the iffy weather is preventing him from getting back out on the field, according to Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post.

G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium, the home of the Class-A Potomac Nationals, is notorious for its poor drainage system, and with the rain on Friday, the MLB club may not want to risk putting Werth out there with the chance of getting injured again.

Werth has been out of the Nats lineup since May 6 when he broke his wrist while trying to make a sliding catch in right field. In 27 games in 2012, he is hitting .276 with 3 home runs and 12 RBIs.

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Jayson Werth Injury: Outfielder Begins Rehab Assignment At Class-A Potomac

Jayson Werth will make his first rehab start on Friday night at High Class-A Potomac, playing in right field and batting third for the Potomac Nationals, according to a tweet from the team's official twitter page.

Jayson Werth is batting 3rd in RF for Potomac tonight.

— Potomac Nationals (@PNats42) July 20, 2012

Werth has been out of action since breaking his wrist on May 6. Though the Nationals have played well in his absence, the presence of a player of Werth's calibur cannot be underestimated. It is hoped that he will be ready to play in the Major League again after a few starts down in the farm system.

Potomac's game will be at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium aganist the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Class-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. First pitch of that game will be at 7:05 p.m.

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Jayson Werth Injury Update: Nationals Outfielder Takes Batting Practice, Ready To Begin Rehab Assignment

Jayson Werth is finally ready to play some baseball, after more than 10 weeks have gone by since the Nationals right fielder broke his wrist. Werth took batting practice on Wednesday and is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Class A Potomac on Friday.

Werth said he was surprised with the way his wrist has felt in the past week and that he's come a long way in recovering. He had these insightful comments on Wednesday from the Washington Post:

"I'm going to get my body in shape, ready to play, as I'm gaining strength," Werth said. "There are things I still don't have with my hand. It's not that I need to prepare. We've still got a ways to go with the rehab. At the same time, it feels good enough that I'm not going to injure it. I don't expect any setbacks or anything like that. At the same time, I'm going to get my body and my legs, my eyes, in shape ahead of time while my hand continues to heal and recover. It's a timing thing.

"You don't want to be in a situation where I go up too early and I injure it. At the same time, I don't want to go out and my hand is ready, but yet my legs aren't. It's getting ready to play. We all feel good about the timing of it and what we're trying to accomplish. Will it be all 20 days? I don't think so. But I don't know. Everything has happened so fast. It's a good thing. But there are still a lot of unknowns."

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Jayson Werth Injury: Nationals Outfielder To Miss At Least 12 Weeks, According To Report

The injury bug continues to bite the Washington Nationals. After breaking his wrist on Sunday night, outfielder Jayson Werth had surgery today according to a tweet by William Ladson.

#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

The Nationals are already short two major offensive contributors with third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and outfielder Adam LaRoche also out with injuries. Michael Morse is still recovering from his offseason injury as well. Although Zimmerman is set to possibly return this week for the Nationals, this injury to Werth puts a focus on the lack of offense that the Nationals have had this season.

The pitching staff, while a major part of Washington's early success cannot be the only part of this team. The Nationals will need to find a batter as soon as possible.

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Jayson Werth Injury: Nationals Outfielder Suffers Broken Left Wrist, According To Report

The worst news for Jayson Werth and his injured left wrist has been confirmed.

After leaving the game in the top of the sixth inning, reports began to surface after the Philles and Nats went final that Werth had indeed suffered a broken wrist. Kevin Jones of WUSA9 tweeted this:

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

Werth dove for a ball that was hit by Philadelphia's Placido Polanco and after making the catch, his left wrist turned and bent awkwardly underneath him. He was clearly unable to make the play and left the game immediately afterwards.

The timetable for how long he will be out is uncertain at this time, but the best guess is that Werth will be out for at least six weeks.

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Nationals Vs. Phillies: Jayson Werth Leaves With Injured Wrist (VIDEO)

Already missing Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche, the Nationals lost another big piece of their line-up in the top of the sixth inning of Sunday night's game.

In the top of the sixth inning, with Washington trailing, 3-1, Werth dove headfirst for a ball hit by Placido Polanco. As a result of the dive and contact with the ground, Werth's glove and left hand twisted around. The right fielder left the game immediately and was replaced by Xavier Nady.

Washington currently trails Philadelphia, 3-1 in the top of the seventh inning.

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