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Washington Nationals: Adam Eaton seems ahead of schedule

By Blake Finney

CINCINNATI, OH - APRIL 1: Adam Eaton #2 of the Washington Nationals hits a two-run home run in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 1, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Washington defeated Cincinnati 6-5. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - APRIL 1: Adam Eaton #2 of the Washington Nationals hits a two-run home run in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 1, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Washington defeated Cincinnati 6-5. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Nationals are still banged up but progress is being made. For example, Adam Eaton appears to be ahead of schedule and could return very soon.

Injuries have been the theme all year for the Washington Nationals, with 13 players on the disabled list. But slowly players are recovering, including outfielder Adam Eaton who has been spotted playing catch on the field.

Eaton had surgery just a week ago, and at the time he declared that he would be ready in six weeks. But on Tuesday he reported to MASN that he was healthy and based on the way he was moving around pre-game on Monday, he may not be wrong.

In the same MASN article, he now mentions “The timer runs out, what June 8? Plan on getting going then.”. This would indicate that he hopes to be ready when first eligible to come off the 60 Day DL.

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To stay on that timeline, he would likely need to start running the bases and swinging a bat within the next week. And then would need to head out on a rehab assignment towards the end of next week to get enough game time.

Whether it’s wise to rush Adam Eaton to be back by June 8th is another matter. After last year’s ACL injury, and then this latest ankle injury, the Nationals are best served taking a cautious approach.

When fully healthy, the outfielder is invaluable to this team. In his short time as a National, he has hit .308 with an OBP of .400 and serves as a spark plug near the top of the lineup. So they need to ensure he’s definitely at full health before returning.

It will be interesting to see where he bats in this lineup when he does eventually return to the team. With Trea Turner starting to mature so far this season, he looks to be the lead-off hitter Nats fans had hoped for. Expect him to stick in the top spot if he keeps producing.

Truner’s performance would take a lot off pressure off of Eaton himself, then he can come back lower down the order. But some of that pressure may return as he could be needed to play center-field. Given the promotion of Juan Soto, and Bryce Harper obviously locking down right-field.

Next: Nats need to bring Stammen home

The Washington Nationals have desperately missed Adam Eaton during his absence. However, despite the accelerated healing process, they need to ensure that when he returns, he won’t go straight back to the disabled list.

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