Washington Nationals Minor Leagues: Jayson Werth Homers In Potomac, Close To Returning?
By Ricky Keeler
After Saturday night’s extra-inning loss by the Washington Nationals to the Philadelphia Phillies, this is a team that desperately needs help on offense. Well, one of their key offensive stars could be back in the lineup as soon as Monday when the Nats head to Fenway Park to take on the Boston Red Sox.
Left fielder Jayson Werth played in his second day of rehab games on Saturday afternoon for high-A Potomac after Friday night’s game was postponed. Werth would play both games of the doubleheader against the Lynchburg Hillcats (Cleveland Indians).
In Game 1, Werth got the start in left field against Adam Plutko. After grounding out to second base in the first inning, he would come up in his second at-bat and hit a solo shot to left field in the bottom of the fourth. In his final at-bat of the game, he was able to work a one-out walk.
The lone run would be all that Potomac would need to get their first win of the season. Brian Rauh and Dakota Bacus combined to give up two hits and strike out four Hillcats. Rauh would throw five innings for the win while Bacus threw two perfect innings to get the save.
In Game 2, Werth would not play the field as he was the designated hitter against D.J. Brown. After striking out swinging in the first, Werth would fly out to center field in his second at-bat in the third inning. After drawing a walk in the bottom of the sixth against Benny Suarez, Werth would leave the game for pinch-runner Isaac Ballou. Potomac would lose Game 2 to Lynchburg by a final of 2-1.
This is what manager Matt Williams told the media before Saturday’s game about Werth’s progress:
"“[Werth] came out of the first game great, and he feels good about it. Those are all positive signs. It’s good news. He is starting to get into the flow of games. We are excited about that.” (h/t MLB.com)"
Now, Werth has yet to play the full nine innings in a ball game because of the rainout Keep in mind that in minor league doubleheaders, the two teams play seven inning games instead of nine. The team does want to see how Werth feels today before deciding the next steps in his rehab. If he feels okay, he could be in the lineup Monday against Boston. However, if the Nats want to ease Werth back in the lineup, it might be best to make him the designated hitter during the Red Sox series.