RADIO
The Washington Nationals are desperate for some good news following a 2-6 start. They received some as Denard Span could return to the team this weekend, according to the Washington Post.
The defending NL East champions have started the season with the worst team batting average in MLB (.197). Span had a .302 BA average last season at the top of the Nats' lineup with a career high in hits (184) while also scoring 94 runs. He makes the Washington lineup go with his ability to set the table.
The outfielder has been playing in rehab games with the Washington Double-A Harrisburg team on Tuesday as he comes back from an abdomen injury where his right core muscle was damaged.
On Tuesday, Span played in seven innings with no issues. He will play with Low-A Hagerstown on Thursday with the hopes of playing in nine innings.
“Depends on how he feels,” Nationals manager Matt Williams told the Washington Post. “The good thing about Denard is that even though he hasn’t played a bunch of games, he’s been getting a lot of at-bats. We’ve set up simulated at-bats so right now he’s looking at 30-ish. So you look at that and that’s halfway through spring training type of at-bats, although he hasn’t played in that many games. He hasn’t played in 15 games yet, but those at-bats are there. If his timing’s good, if he feels good and if he’s 100 percent healthy then we’ll make a decision.”
Jayson Werth came off the 15-day DL on Monday. Anthony Rendon is still recovering from an MCL sprain with no timetable for his return. The Nationals will be playing the Phillies this weekend.
