Trea Turner set to return to Nationals

There are times when Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker is rolling along during an answer that he inadvertently lets out some news.

That happened Monday night when he mentioned that shortstop Trea Turner, out since June 30 because of a right wrist fracture, will be back with the team Tuesday. Baker did not note whose spot on the 25-man roster Turner would take when he comes back after almost two months on the disabled list.

Turner’s return is another step toward what has been elusive health this season for Washington. Jayson Werth was activated from the 60-day disabled list Monday. Max Scherzer was activated from the 10-day disabled list Monday, too. Scherzer’s disabled list stay was brief. He missed two starts. But, Werth missed 75 games. Turner has missed 51 on this disabled list stint and 61 total because of his two visits to the disabled list (the first was because of a hamstring strain) this season. Werth and Turner were both victimized by things out of their control. Werth fouled a ball off his foot, breaking a bone. Turner was hit in the wrist by a pitch.

Turner took batting practice on the field at Nationals Park on Monday. He also worked in the field. He played seven games in the minor leagues and hit .095 during the rehabilitation assignments.

Two vital pieces, Bryce Harper (knee) and Ryan Madson (finger) remain on the disabled list. Despite those injuries, Washington is as close to whole as it has been since well before the All-Star break. The last time Werth and Turner were in the lineup together was June 3.