Werth to begin rehab assignment at Class A Potomac

By Bill Ladson

July 16, 2015

WASHINGTON -- The man affectionately known as J-Dub is close to rejoining the Nationals. Outfielder Jayson Werth will begin a rehab assignment with Class A Potomac on Thursday.

Werth will rehab with Potomac for the second time this season. He was on the club's Opening Day roster on April 9 while recovering from a right shoulder injury.

This time, Werth is recovering from a left wrist injury. He suffered two small fractures in the wrist after being hit by a pitch from Padres right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne on May 15.

The return of Werth should be a big boost for the Nats. During his five years in Washington, Werth has a .370 on-base percentage. Last year, he had a .394 on-base percentage.

With Denard Span out with a back injury, the Nationals may consider using Werth as the leadoff hitter. Werth led off for the Nats during the second half of 2012. Yunel Escobar and Michael Taylor have been used at the top spot, but they are not prototypical leadoff hitters.

Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, All Nats All the Time. He also can be found on Twitter @WashingNats.