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Washington Nationals bench needs to play factor on west coast trip

By Ricky Keeler

Apr 3, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals pinch hitter Adam Lind (26) hits a two run home run against the Miami Marlins during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals won 4 - 2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals pinch hitter Adam Lind (26) hits a two run home run against the Miami Marlins during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals won 4 - 2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the return of Stephen Drew, the Washington Nationals bench gets an upgrade on their west coast swing

Without playing in any rehab games for the Washington Nationals affiliates, Stephen Drew was activated off the ten day disabled list yesterday. It is a much needed return for the Nats since they began a stretch yesterday where they will play 23 games in 24 days, including this nine game road trip.

Outside of Adam Lind, it’s been a tough start for the Washington Nationals bench this season. In pinch-hitting situations, the Nats are hitting .230 with four home runs and 14 RBI’s. Those numbers are okay, but keep in mind Lind has three of those homers and nine of those RBI’s.

Now, pinch-hitting situations are tough to begin with because a hitter doesn’t know when he will get a chance to hit in a game. But, at the same time, the bench has had its issues this season. Jose Lobaton is 7-for-50 (.140) as the backup catcher and Chris Heisey is hitting just .128 and is 0-for-14 as a pinch-hitter.

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But, the Nats could be getting good news involving Heisey. After tearing his biceps tendon, he was back on the field at Double-A Harrisburg beginning a rehab assignment. That is a big surprise considering it was possible Heisey could miss an extended period of time with that injury.

Since Drew is back, he can bring left-handed power off the bench and provide rest for Anthony Rendon, Trea Turner, or Daniel Murphy on any given day. The question now is what does that mean for Wilmer Difo?

Difo has shown his versatility in the field, but he is hitting .192 at the plate in 32 games. He had two hits on Sunday against the Padres, but he is just 5-for-32 at the plate for the entire month. With Drew coming back, does it mean Difo goes back to the minor leagues to play everyday?

As soon as Heisey gets back, it probably means that Brian Goodwin heads back to Triple-A. Three of Goodwin’s five hits this season have been for extra-bases, but he has had his fair share of bad moments in the field and on the bases this year.

This west coast trip is going to be a grind for the Nats. While they probably won’t sit four regulars like they did on Sunday, they will need one or two people on the bench in some days to deliver a timely hit or not make a critical error in the field. Plus, with Bryce Harper likely to be suspended after the brawl with Hunter Strickland yesterday, maybe Goodwin steps up.

Next: Rendon our player of the week

When you are on Dusty Baker’s 25-man roster, you are going to get a chance to play. Now that Drew is back, it will be interesting if there could be a second player besides Lind that steps up and provides quality production off the bench.

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