Ian Desmond Activated Off DL, Cesar Izturis DFA’d

Prior to the start of this evening’s game against the New York Mets, the Washington Nationals activated shortstop Ian Desmond from the disabled list. Desmond has been out since early July thanks to a torn oblique in his left side. In order to make room on the active roster the team designated Cesar Izturis for assignment.

Desmond’s rehab has been progressing quickly over the past week. He started to field ground balls last week in Houston and began hitting in the cage later that week in Arizona. By early this week he was participating in full workouts with the team and rumblings began that his return could be imminent. Desmond did not go on a minor league rehab assignment. It seems he didn’t need to, according to quotes passed along by Mark Zuckerman:

"I stuck with the routine the trainers told me to do. I’ve been feeling good. There’s no sense in dragging an extra two weeks out of it. Obviously that might have been the safe bet. But I feel good, so I’m just going to go with it."

Washington’s lineup hasn’t missed a step in Desmond’s absence. The team has maintained their lead atop the NL East and still control the best record in the National League. Different players have continued to step up to help pick up the slack.

Izturis, who the organization claimed off of waivers earlier this month from the Milwaukee Brewers, had a short stay with Washington. He appeared in only five games, collecting a pair of hits in four plate appearances. The team now has 10 days to trade or release the veteran.