When the Washington Nationals departed from spring training, manager Dusty Baker had accomplished his top goal. He had worried all along about health. But, when going north from Florida, the Nationals were set for opening day with all of their projected starters a year after being ripped apart by injuries.
That lasted a game.
The Nationals placed center fielder Ben Revere on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, retroactive to Tuesday, because of an oblique strain. To replace him, they recalled outfielder Matt den Dekker from Triple-A Syracuse.
Revere was acquired in the offseason from the Toronto Blue Jays for deposed closer Drew Storen and a player to be named later. Revere said after Monday’s season opener in Atlanta he felt pain on his side after swinging in his first at-bat. He tried to play through the pain, but was replaced after four innings by Michael A. Taylor.
Before the season started, Baker referred to Taylor as “a starter who doesn’t start.” He was intent on finding Taylor playing time after a torrid spring and flashes of speed, power and defense last season — his first in the major leagues. Finding spots for Taylor to play were expected to be when he gave Revere or Jayson Werth a day off, or when Taylor would enter the game late as a defensive replacement, shifting Revere to left field and Werth to the bench. His track to into the lineup is clear now.
Revere lacks Taylor’s power, but makes contact much more often. Taylor has made an effort to cut down on trying to hit the ball as far as possible. Instead, he wants a shorter swing that helps him to strikeout less.
Den Dekker provides the Nationals speed on the bench. He put together a surge last September, when he hit .333 with three home runs in 39 at-bats. He also makes the Nationals’ bench heavily left-handed. Stephen Drew and Clint Robinson are left-handed bats already on the bench. The only right-hander is Chris Heisey. Backup catcher Jose Lobaton is a switch-hitter and would only be used to pinch hit in an emergency.
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