Nationals center fielder Denard Span Josh Scobee Jaguars Jersey will have surgery on his left hip next week and the leadoff man is likely out for the season.
Washington manager Matt Williams said Friday that Span had problems in the labrum. The surgery is set for Tuesday.
''He's got some damage in there that needs to get fixed,'' Williams said.
The 31-year-old Span already has missed 52 games in two stints on the disabled list with back and abdominal ailments. The Nationals began the day 6 1/2 games behind the New York Mets in the NL East.
''He's had some hip pain,'' Williams said. ''That type of pain is all kind of connected, hip, back, stomach. So tests were taken and showed the need to have it repaired.''
Span had just returned http://www.officialnfltitansprostore.com/Sammie-Lee-Hill-Jersey from the DL to play on Tuesday and Wednesday night, but was held out Thursday. After the game, Williams said Span's back issues had resurfaced and could end his season.
The outfielder was put on the 15-day disabled list Friday, retroactive to Thursday.
In 61 games, Span is batting .301 with five home runs and 22 RBIs. He'll be a free agent at the end of the season.
In a Washington season rife with injuries, Span's absence at the top of the lineup has been significant. Entering Friday, the Nationals are 36-25 (a .590 winning percentage) when Span starts and 28-37 (.431) when he doesn't, according to STATS.
Washington recalled outfielder Matt den Dekker from Triple-A Syracuse.
The news was better regarding outfielder Michael Taylor, who came out of Thursday's game after crashing into the wall trying to make a catch in the seventh inning. He bruised his right knee, but appeared to have escaped serious injury
''It was pretty sore last night when I came out of the game, but I feel pretty good today,'' said Taylor, who was not in Friday's lineup against Miami but was available off the bench.
''I banged my knee pretty good when I went into the wall, but nothing was broken or torn,'' he said.
Facing Marlins left-hander Adam Conley, Washington's lineup Authentic Brian Hoyer Jersey Friday included Jayson Werth in right field, Bryce Harper moving over to center and switch-hitter Danny Espinosa, normally an infielder, starting in left.
The Washington Nationals got a victory Thursday night, but it overall wasn't an overly positive night.
First of all, they saw the Mets eventually win in Philadelphia in 13 innings, meaning the deficit in the NL East remains at 6 1/2 games with just over a month left to play.
Next, the ballclub will send center fielder Denard Span back to the disabled list on Friday with left hip inflammation. The issue is reportedly related to the back and core injuries that he's been unable to shake all season following offseason surgery. This will be Span's third time on the DL and he's only managed 61 games played this season.
Though Span is far from their best player, he's still one of the most important pieces for the Nationals. This season, the club is 36-25 when he starts and 28-37 when he doesn't.
Last season, they were 87-57 when he started and 9-9 when he didn't. In 2013? The Nationals were 7-10 when Span didn't start and 79-66 when he did.
Add it all up and you get a 202-138 record http://www.officialpadresshop.com/authentic-19-tony-gwynn-jersey.html in the past three seasons with Span in the starting lineup. That's a .594 winning percentage which is a 162-game pace of 96 wins. When he doesn't, the Nationals are 44-56 (.440, a 162-game pace of 71 wins).
I don't necessarily think it's this simple because lineups are very complicated with so many variables, but the records are there and indisputable.