Jayson Werth to have shoulder surgery, miss 2-3 months

October 6, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder

(28, right) bats in front of San Francisco Giants catcher

(28, left) during game three of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth is set to have arthroscopic surgery on his right AC joint on Friday. The surgery will force Werth to miss two to three months, which could delay the start of his 2015 season.

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Werth, 35, has been dealing with shoulder issues since he hurt his right shoulder making a catch against the Phillies in August. An MRI taken at the time revealed a sprain in his AC joint, but he received a cortisone shot and was able to play the rest of the season.

Despite the late-season shoulder issues, Werth still managed to complete one of his best campaigns in a Nationals uniform.

The outfielder hit .292 with 16 home runs and 82 RBIs over 629 plate appearances (147 games). While he struggled mightily in the playoffs, Werth was still one of the team’s best players during the season and helped lead the Nationals to their second NL East title in three years.

It’s been an eventful offseason for the usually low-key Werth.

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Along with the time he is expected to miss because of the surgery, Werth is also facing a 10-day prison sentence for a reckless driving conviction he received earlier this offseason. Werth is appealing the sentence, and his appeal is set for February 3.

If Werth is expected to miss regular season time for the injury or for legal issues, the Nationals could decide to acquire an outfielder to take his place in left field until he returns.