Jayson Werth is off the disabled list and back in the Nationals’ lineup tonight, nearly three months after breaking his wrist on May 6. And he’s starting in center field for the first time since September of last season, as manager Davey Johnson has decided to play him there rather than Bryce Harper.
Werth was having a nice bounceback season before the injury, hitting .276 with three homers and an .810 OPS in 27 games. He played nine games on a minor-league rehab assignment, going 8-for-27 (.296) with three doubles, eight walks, and an .865 OPS, which convinced the Nationals to activate him a day earlier than scheduled.
Washington’s outfield is now Michael Morse, Werth, and Harper, and it’s interesting that Werth gets the nod in center field tonight given that Harper has started 39 games in center field this season.
