WASHINGTON -- Nationals outfielder Ben Revere will begin a rehab assignment on Thursday with Triple-A Syracuse, a baseball source said. They will play a four-game series against Pawtucket. The Nationals did not confirm that Revere was going to Syracuse.
The news about Revere's rehab assignment comes a day after he was seen taking swings in the cage and running from first base without any pain.
According to Nationals manager Dusty Baker, Revere will start slowly by going five innings then gradually play nine innings by next week. Baker said Revere will rejoin the Nationals during the four-game series against the Cubs starting May 6.
Revere hasn't played in a game since Opening Day on April 4, when he felt pain on the right side of his stomach during his first at-bat against the Braves. After he struck out, Revere decided to stay in the game, but he had a hard time breathing during his second at-bat two innings later. After he grounded out, Revere decided to take himself out of the game.
Revere, who later received a shot to help the muscle heal, said he felt pain while trying to make a play on a home run by Freddie Freeman in the first inning.