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Washington Nationals: Daniel Murphy’s knee might delay 2018

By Ron Juckett

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 13: Daniel Murphy #20 of the Washington Nationals reacts after scoring on an RBI single by Michael Taylor #3 of the Washington Nationals against the Chicago Cubs during the eighth inning in game five of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 13, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 13: Daniel Murphy #20 of the Washington Nationals reacts after scoring on an RBI single by Michael Taylor #3 of the Washington Nationals against the Chicago Cubs during the eighth inning in game five of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 13, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Another injury scare for the Washington Nationals as Daniel Murphy underwent knee surgery last week. When he returns is open for debate.

The injury problems plaguing the 2017 Washington Nationals are spreading into 2018.

Lost amongst the din of Dusty Baker’s dismissal Friday came the news of Daniel Murphy needing knee surgery. Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post says Murphy’s articular cartilage in his right knee was debrided through microfracture surgery.

Castillo tells you what all that word salad means, but the short answer is recovery might stretch past next Opening Day. If true, Wilmer Difo will get every chance in West Palm Beach to win the job in Murphy’s absence.

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It is hard to say someone with a slash line of.322/.384/.543 had a sluggish year, but it was obvious Murphy played a chunk of the year in pain. In August, his slash line dropped to .263/.348/.438. His lowest numbers of the year. From July 1, he started a mere 63 games from 77 the first three months.

By September, he found his swing again and smashed a key home run during the Nats National League Divisional Series.

The timing of the news, within an hour of the Baker story, gave you the sense it was serious but not something to worry about. A six-to-twelve-month rehab period, as Castillo mentions, is worrisome. The pressure on Washington to meet expectations is high. You cannot take the NL East for granted, so any time missed is concerning.

Whether Washington tries to re-sign Howie Kendrick or not is now an open question. Although he played primarily as an outfielder with the Nats, second base is his bread and butter. If he stays put, that is a bad sign for Murphy. Not that Kendrick is a bad player, but instead suggests Murphy’s return is delayed.

A potential free agent after next season, Murphy’s two years in DC have been magical. He almost won the batting title in 2016 until a hamstring injury sidelined him in September. A bad August derailed his chances this year. Leading the NL in doubles both seasons in DC, his Washington slash line of .334/.387/.569 gives an OPS of .956 and adjusts to a whopping 145.

Difo figures to be the second baseman of the future if Murphy signs elsewhere. The extra playing time will get the repetitions and rhythm he needs for the regular season. Kendrick offers stability as a utility player.

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Still, they do not offer the productivity at the plate Murphy does. Depending how much of Spring Training Murphy misses determines how soon he returns to the lineup. He must be ready to face pitching on his return. A late start puts him weeks behind the rest of baseball.

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