NEW YORK -- With about a week to go during the regular season, Nationals outfielder Brian Goodwin still carries hope he can return from the disabled list. He has been sidelined with a groin strain, and following a setback earlier this month was thought to be lost for the season.
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Goodwin has been among the Nats' injured players working their way back vigorously this week, along with Bryce Harper and infielder Stephen Drew. The trio took batting practice prior to Sunday's game against the Mets, and Goodwin also did some baserunning drills and sprints. And if it were up to Goodwin, he would be ready to test out his injury in a game.
"I'm feeling really good, I'm feeling really close," Goodwin said. "If it was up to me, I would be going right now, but it's not. So, I'm going to trust my training staff, coaches, everybody that I've been working with … that have my best interest in hand."
Goodwin had put together a fine rookie season, posting an .811 OPS with 13 home runs and six stolen bases in 74 games while filling in at left and center field for the injured Jayson Werth and Michael A. Taylor. Goodwin was in position to be a virtual lock to make the Nats' postseason roster as their one true backup center fielder.

However, it is unclear whether Goodwin has enough time left to return to the field and prove he deserves a roster spot in October.
"[My timing] didn't feel too bad in the sim game," Goodwin said. "I don't think it's a far off as the amount of time that I've been out, so it's feeling pretty good."