The Washington Nationals are the talk of baseball right now after taking two of three games over the weekend from the Philadelphia Phillies to continue their grip on the top spot in the National League East.
However, the Nats are also the walking wounded. Already without their star third baseman, their closer, their backup closer, two first basemen and more, Washington lost heavy-hitting Jayson Werth Sunday night "for a while" to a broken left wrist, according to manager Davey Johnson.
Someone put some bubble wrap around Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper, STAT!
Werth was injured on what seemed like an innocent sliding attempt to catch a fly ball in right in the sixth inning. As he slid, his glove and hand awkwardly bent backward. Werth immediately grabbed the wrist in pain and left the game. There was no immediate word on when we'll see him again.
This isn't the first time that Werth has had a significant wrist injury, as the AP explains:
Werth missed the entire 2006 season after an injury to his left wrist which placed his career in jeopardy. He broke the wrist in spring training 2005 with the Dodgers and played 102 games that season before undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in the wrist.
Werth bounced back after that injury and raked the ball in Philly before eventually signing as a free agent with the Nats before last season. Washington hopes that will happen again.
Sports
The Nationals had already been looking for help in the outfield before Werth's injury. Calling up Bryce Harper helped, but now there's a big void in right. With no timetable for Michael Morse's return, the Nats may have to go out and make a trade. They've long been in the hunt for someone like Denard Span in Minnesota or Peter Bourjos in Anaheim, and this injury may seal the deal.
But then again, maybe it's time for Teddy to suit up and see his first game action of the season.
