Turner activated after missing 38 games
WASHINGTON -- The Nationals activated shortstop Trea Turner from the injured list Friday, inserting one of baseball's most dynamic and electric players back atop a lineup that is getting closer to full strength. Turner led off with a single for the Nationals and went 2-for-5 in Friday's 14-6 loss to
WASHINGTON -- The Nationals activated shortstop
"It was real nice to write his name in the lineup," Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. "He's been itching to get back as we all know. He's excited to be back. No expectations. I told him to go out there and play the game and do what you do best."
Turner only appeared in the first four games of the season for the Nationals, but he had been off to a red-hot start, going 5-for-14 with two homers and four stolen bases. Then the finger was broken after getting hit when he squared around on a bunt attempt on April 2 against the Phillies, although Turner has said this injury won't scare him away from attempting bunts in the future.
"It's like, you're scared to dive and then you dive and you're all right," Turner said. "For me, it's just a confidence thing. Just continue to play baseball. If I need to do something, I'll do it."
During his stint on the injured list, Turner tried to do as much baseball activity as possible without affecting the injury. He continued to run sprints and around the bases to keep his legs in shape. He fielded grounders at shortstop even when he could not throw the ball across the diamond. He tracked pitches against a pitching machine to keep his eye sharp.
So, Martinez was hopeful Turner wouldn't need much time to knock the rust off. He played in two Minor League rehab games with Class A Advanced Potomac this week, batting 1-for-8 while playing all nine innings at shortstop in each game before taking Thursday off to work out with the team.
"It's just more confidence than anything," Turner said. "My finger's felt good doing baseball activity, but it's a matter of testing it, getting in a game, check-swinging or doing those things, being able to turn a double play. I feel like I was tested a lot of different ways down there, so it was good to get that confidence, and now I don't second-guess it."
Turner's absence has certainly been felt in the Nationals' lineup.
His replacements, mainly
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"It's an ability for him to continue to play, and then when we need him, he's had the at-bats and he's right back where he left off," Martinez said. "For him just to sit there, I don't think people realize how young Difo [27] still is. We just want him to play and keep playing. When we need him again, he's been playing, it's not like he's been sitting there and all of a sudden you plop him back in. He'll be back here at some point, I know."
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The Nationals also placed right-hander
Worth noting
• Ryan Zimmerman (foot) has started participating in some baseball activities, fielding grounders at first base and taking batting practice on the field Friday. Martinez was hopeful Zimmerman could start running this weekend.
• Matt Adams began some activity Friday, playing catch on the field and swinging a fungo in his first action since a shoulder injury a few weeks ago. If all goes well, he could begin hitting on the field next week.
• Tony Sipp is scheduled to pitch in a Minor League rehab game on Saturday for Potomac.
Jamal Collier has covered the Nationals for MLB.com since 2016. Follow him on Twitter at @jamalcollier.