NEW YORK -- Trea Turner rejoined the Nationals in New York and was activated from the disabled list prior to Friday night's series opener against the Mets.
Even though Turner was active, he was not in the starting lineup, as manager Dusty Baker wanted to ease him back into action. He pinch-hit with the bases loaded in the 11th and drew a walk, driving in the winning run in the Nationals' 4-3 win. Turner is expected to start Saturday.
"The thinking was, today was supposed to be his day off from the rehab assignment," Baker said. "And we thought, 'OK, who would you rather have available on the bench? Would you rather have him or another extra guy?' So that was the thinking, kind of let him get his feet wet a little bit."
The Nationals have been without their starting shortstop since April 8, when he strained his right hamstring on a stolen base in Philadelphia.
Washington has remained cautious with Turner considering his legs are important at shortstop and for stolen bases. Turner, who ended up missing 10 games, played the last two games at extended spring in West Palm Beach, Fla., where he went 5-for-7 with two doubles, a triple, three walks and two stolen bases. Grant Green was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Turner.
Worth noting
• Baker said left fielder Jayson Werth (groin spasms) was improving and the Nats were shooting for him to return to the lineup Sunday night.
• Stephen Drew, who is on the DL with a right hamstring strain, is still getting treatment but has not progressed to doing much baseball activity.
Jamal Collier