Nats paint outfield grass

Elton John and Billy Joel haven’t been in the District since Saturday night, but the two left an indelible mark in center field at Nationals Park.

The grass in the top half of center field, discolored from the stage’s foundation sitting on top of it for four days, was painted Wednesday and will be cut Thursday before the team’s 7:05 game against the Chicago Cubs, team president Stan Kasten said.

Center fielder Nyjer Morgan said he hadn’t seen the discoloration in the outfield after the team’s workout Wednesday night.

“You should not even see the discolorations by [Thursday],” said Kasten, adding that the concert was such a success that he hopes to bring two shows here next year. “Most importantly, it’s playing just fine. It’s absolutely perfect playingwise.”

Other than a 10-by-15-foot patch of grass near the warning track in center where new sod was laid, Kasten insisted no damage was done to center field by the concert. The only difference fans will see in the outfield in the team’s 11-game homestand is the absence of the big “W” that is usually mowed into the grass in center field.

“The fact that we had a concert Saturday and it’s going to be perfect for a Thursday game - that’s great,” Kasten said.

- Scott Miller