Washington Nationals: 5 storylines for trip to San Diego
By Ron Juckett
YET ANOTHER INJURY
Brian Goodwin is the latest player to find the disabled list for the Nats. He tweaked a groin muscle Sunday near the end of the first game of a split doubleheader versus the Giants and will miss most, if not all, of the road trip. If healthy, he might return for the end of the Houston series.
Goodwin makes 11 players on the disabled list. For the Nats, none of the starting outfielders on Opening Day are active. Jayson Werth is doing better, but is not ready. Bryce Harper is doing what he can above the waist for exercise, but no timetable is in place. Adam Eaton has started baseball activities, but has yet to be cleared for any October baseball.
It is stunning how impressive the Nats are playing all things considered. Do they miss their outfield trio? Of course.
The addition of Howie Kendrick in July, and the decent play of Adam Lind and Andrew Stevenson helps, but Washington has mined all the ready outfield talent from the farm. Alejandro De Aza, signed as a free agent by Syracuse in June, earns the promotion to the big club. If he plays, he is the 23rd position player used by the Nats this season.
When you play a bottom-feeder on the road, especially in games that mean nothing, concentration wanes. The Nats cannot afford to lose another position player, let alone an outfielder. The depth chart is at the bottom.