Jayson Werth missed a second consecutive game Wednesday, and Washington Nationals manager Matt Williams said the left fielder is dealing with soreness in his surgically-repaired right shoulder.
Williams does not believe the soreness is anything abnormal and said Werth would be available to pinch-hit in Wednesday’s series finale against the Miami Marlins. He is expected to return to the starting lineup Friday, after the team’s day off.
“It’s part of the progression. It’s going to be cranky from time to time,” Williams said. “You know, surgery five months ago. It’s part of the rehab process. You get through stuff like this over time. So it’s a little cranky. With the off-day tomorrow, this is an opportunity to let it calm down as much as possible.”
Werth was not available to speak to reporters Wednesday morning. The 35-year-old had surgery to repair the acromioclavicular joint in his right shoulder in January and began the season on the disabled list. After rejoining the lineup in Boston on April 13, he started 19 of the team’s following 21 games. Before Tuesday, he had played 11 days in a row.
Werth is hitting .176 so far this season with only two extra-base hits in 74 at-bats. On Tuesday, Williams said he expected Werth’s power to return as the season goes on.
“That comes with rhythm and that comes with timing,” Williams said. “If you’re not seeing the baseball the way you want to see it, then the breaking ball looks bigger and better, the fastball jumps on you.
SEE ALSO: Stephen Strasburg leaves Nationals’ loss with right shoulder discomfort
“It will come, but it takes time. We look at him in his spring trainings, they start really slow and he’s just kind of getting out of spring training mode as we speak. He’s on pace to get to where he wants to get to.”
• Tom Schad can be reached at tschad@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.