clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Wire Taps: Nationals' CF Denard Span has surgery to repair "right core muscle" injury

Denard Span joins Jayson Werth and Yunel Escobar among the injured Washington Nationals. Span is not expected to be ready for Opening Day. Werth is a question mark. Escobar is expected back in a week-plus. It'll all work out, no worries...

By Patrick Reddington
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Jayson Werth is still working his way back from surgery on the AC joint in his right shoulder. Yunel Escobar, the second baseman the Washington Nationals acquired this winter, is shut down with an oblique injury. Now Denard Span is out after having surgery this morning to repair a "right core muscle" injury that will sideline him for 4-6 weeks before he can resume baseball activities.

The Nationals are still hoping Werth can be ready for Opening Day. Escobar is expected to be back to work in 7-10 days. Span will most likely miss Opening Day, and reports from Florida today say Nats' skipper Matt Williams is comfortable with the idea of Michael Taylor starting the season in center field.

What's that saying about the "best laid plans" and how they gang aft agley?

The Nationals announced Span's injury this morning as the Nats prepare to take on the Atlanta Braves in Space Coast Stadium in a 1:05 PM EDT Grapefruit League matchup. Here are some of the Span-related stories and tweets from the last few hours...

Denard Span has second surgery of the offseason:

• "The Nationals didn’t immediately announce the precise nature of Span’s surgery, or a timeline for his recovery..." - "Denard Span has surgery to repair core muscle injury" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "Nationals center fielder Denard Span underwent surgery this morning to repair a right core muscle injury." - "Nationals Pastime: Denard Span undergoes surgery to repair core injury (updated)" - Chris Johnson, MASNSports.com

• "Span said he started feeling pain in his right core muscle six or seven weeks after having hernia surgery in early December." - "Span has surgery on core muscle, expects to miss opener" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com

• "The team did not immediately offer a timetable for Span’s recovery." - "Nationals' Denard Span undergoes surgery to repair right core muscle" - Tom Schad, Washington Times

Hey, have you heard about this Michael Taylor kid?:

• "Taylor didn't start the first three games of the Grapefruit League season because of a twinge in his neck." - "With neck better, prospect Taylor displays power stroke" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com

• "The Nationals jumped out in front quickly when highly regarded prospect Michael A. Taylor led off the game with a home run to left-center." - "Nationals Pastime: Williams sees 'tremendous' progress with Taylor" - Chris Johnson, MASNSports.com

• "By the time the press box announcer could share the time of the first pitch of Sunday’s game, the Nationals had a lead." - "Michael Taylor hitting well early" - Chelsea Janes, The Washington Post

• "That Taylor is so advanced with his technique is impressive, considering he's only been an outfielder for a few years." - "'D'-Listers: Byron Buxton among Minor Leagues' best defensive center fielders" - Jake Seiner, MiLB.com

NATS BEAT: Nats' bench; Fister's first ST start of 2015 + more

• "Left-handed hitting outfielder Nate McLouth will be ready soon, his surgically repaired right shoulder healed and rehabbed to team satisfaction..." - "Nate McLouth progressing toward full availability" - Chelsea Janes, The Washington Post

Wire Taps: #Nationals' CF Denard Span has surgery; Michael Taylor <3; #Nats links...

• "Kevin Frandsen and Jose Lobaton, both starting today, figure to be part of the Nats bench. So does outfielder Nate McLouth..." - "Nationals Pastime: Matt Williams on Danny Espinosa and Nats bench" - Chris Johnson, MASNSports.com

• "Entering this season, the Nationals' biggest concern is their bench." - "Williams expects more from bench in 2015" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com

• "'It’s going to be a little bit of a monkey on his back for a little bit, but he’s already had one outing,' Nationals pitching coordinator Paul Menhart said." - "Fearless Aaron Barrett takes the mound for Nationals" - Chelsea Janes, The Washington Post

• "Gio Gonzalez gets his first chance of the Grapefruit League season when he starts today against the Atlanta Braves at Space Coast Stadium in a 1 p.m. game..." - "Nationals Pastime: Gonzalez gets his turn today" - Chris Johnson, MASNSports.com

• "Fister was hard on himself after his outing. He wasn't pleased that he walked Brett Gardner with one out in the first inning." - "Fister OK with overall outing except for walk" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com

NATIONAL(S) BEAT: Nats vs Yankees; Season Preview from Grantland

• "Didn't catch the Yankees' 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon? No sweat. Check out shots from the game above." - "LOOK: Photos from Yankees' 3-2 win over Washington Nationals" - Brendan Kuty, NJ.com

• "Like the billionaire entrepreneur who still wakes up at five every morning in search of his next big score, the Nationals have not let their recent success satiate their hunger for more." - "National Treasures" - Rany Jazayerli, Grantland.com

• "The Astros are likely to be gone after they and the Washington Nationals, who train in the Brevard County town of Viera, announced plans to move to a yet-to-be-constructed, $135 million complex..." - "Astros' decision impacts spring training's future in Central Florida" - Stephen Ruiz, Orlando Sentinel

NL EAST UPDATES: Hechavarria's shoulder; Lee's elbow, Lagares' defense

• Marlins: "Miami Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria has been nursing a 'tired' right shoulder that has kept him out of the lineup since Thursday's Grapefruit League opener." - "Miami Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria nursing right shoulder" - Christina De Nicola, FOX Sports

• Phillies: "Four days after pitching in his first Grapefruit League game, Lee is waiting to get the go-ahead to play catch again." - "Lee on ailing elbow: 'It's very frustrating.'" - Ryan Lawrence, Philadelphia Daily News

• Mets: "The plate discipline the Mets are hoping to consistently see from Juan Lagares was on display during his first at-bat of camp." - "Mets: Juan Lagares auditioning for leadoff" - Matt Ehalt, NorthJersey.com

• Braves: "Despite his recent success at the Minor League level, Cody Martin has remained in relative obscurity." - "Martin suddenly in running for one of rotation vacancies" - Mark Bowman, braves.com

More From Federal Baseball