Rick Ankiel's injury has healed, and the Nationals' center fielder has been removed from the 15-day disabled list and placed back on the active roster, according to a team release. Ankiel had been on the DL since May 3 with a sore right wrist, and ended up technically spending 21 days there.
Prior to the injury, Ankiel had been the team's starting center fielder and No. 2 hitter. But since his injury, Roger Bernadina has played well in center field and as the leadoff hitter, which should make things interesting for manager Jim Riggleman. Ankiel had been posting a .302 on-base percentage with one home run and seven RBI.
Ankiel will not start Tuesday night's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Instead, Brian Bixler will start in left field, with Bernadina in center and Michael Morse playing first base. Perhaps Riggleman could shift around his outfielders so that Bernadina, Ankiel and Jayson Werth all start, at least until first baseman Adam LaRoche gets healthy.