VIERA, Fla. — The Washington Nationals will hold their first full-squad workout Thursday morning at the minor league complex adjacent to Space Coast Stadium. As a new season begins, they consider themselves fortunate to be almost entirely healthy.
Manager Matt Williams said Wednesday that all 60 players invited to big-league spring training reported on time and passed their physical examinations. Left fielder Jayson Werth will be a limited participant in the team’s first workout as he continues to rehabilitate his surgically repaired right shoulder, and reserve outfielder Nate McLouth will be on a throwing program. The rest of the group — including center fielder Denard Span — is expected to fully participate.
“Every spring training, for every club, is a new spring training,” Williams said. “There’s optimism, of course, understanding that we’ve got a lot of work to do and a long way to go. That being said, they’re optimistic, they’re energetic, they’re itching to get out there and run through our bunt plays tomorrow.”
Werth had arthroscopic surgery to repair the AC joint in his right shoulder Jan. 9, and the team said he would miss two to three months. Late last week, general manager Mike Rizzo said he was optimistic Werth would be available to start on Opening Day, adding that he would know more about Werth’s status when the outfielder arrived.
Williams said Werth is “still in the rehab process” and therefore will be limited in what he is allowed to do, especially early in camp.
“He’ll be a little late getting started,” Williams said. “He understands the whole process here and what we’re trying to do, and he’s one of our leaders in that regard. So there won’t be any issue with that. He’s just a little bit late getting started.”
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McLouth had season-ending surgery in August to repair a torn right labrum, and Williams said he will be carefully monitored throughout spring training. Span, who had sports hernia surgery Dec. 3, will also be monitored, but Williams said he is “full-go.”
“We want to make sure we don’t push him too hard,” Williams said. “But yeah, he’s full and ready to go.”
• Tom Schad can be reached at tschad@washingtontimes.com.
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