WASHINGTON -- Nationals manager Dusty Baker said on Thursday that the swelling in Jayson Werth's left foot is still decreasing after the outfielder injured it fouling off a pitch on Saturday and going on the 10-day DL two days later.
Although X-rays on his left big toe were negative, Werth is using crutches and staying off the foot as much as he can while also trying to exercise.
"It's hard to stay in shape when you hurt your feet, because everything you do to stay in shape is on your feet, maybe except swimming or something," Baker said. "We're going to try to do whatever we can to keep him in shape so we're not starting all over again."
Werth is hitting .262 with eight home runs this season. The Nationals recalled Ryan Raburn from Triple-A Syracuse as his replacement. Raburn is 1-for-8 in his first two games with Washington after being acquired from the White Sox on May 26.
Other injury updates
• Right-hander Joe Blanton, who hasn't played since May 13, will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday night.
The Nationals placed Blanton on the 10-day DL on May 17 with inflammation in his right shoulder, and he threw his first bullpen session last Friday. He has a career 4.38 ERA, but that number ballooned to 9.49 this season, as he has given up six home runs in 14 appearances.
• Left-hander Sammy Solis threw a 40-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday.
Solis has been rehabbing in Florida since the end of May after being placed on the DL on April 19 with inflammation in his left elbow. Solis, whose career ERA is 3.11, played in just six games before his injury, pitching to an 8.31 ERA.