The Nationals outfield took another significant hit this evening when Chris Heisey had to be placed on the disabled list with what the club says is a right bicep rupture.
It's unclear how the injury occurred, but Heisey was on the field for batting practice this afternoon and did not appear to be dealing with any ailments prior to that point.
Already playing with a short bench after electing to carry a 13th pitcher upon recalling Joe Ross on Tuesday, the Nationals hurriedly recalled Brian Goodwin from Triple-A Syracuse. The outfielder, who had just been demoted Tuesday afternoon, will attempt to get to Nationals Park in time to be available for tonight's game against the Mariners.
Heisey officially was placed on the 10-day disabled list, but if he ruptured the biceps tendon - the club did not specify whether the injury was to the tendon or muscle, but tendon ruptures are far more common - he figures to miss significantly more time than that.
The Nationals already have been dealing outfield depth issues after Adam Eaton tore the ACL in his left knee April 28, a season-ending injury. Michael A. Taylor has stepped in to serve as the starting center fielder, leaving only Heisey and sometimes Goodwin as backup outfielders.
A key contributor off the bench last season, Heisey had been struggling at the plate so far this year. He was 0-for-14 as a pinch-hitter and was batting .128 (6-for-47) overall.
In more encouraging injury news, Sammy SolÃs has departed Washington for West Palm Beach, Fla., to begin a supervised throwing program at the Nationals' spring training complex, a significant step in the reliever's return from an irritated nerve in his left elbow.
SolÃs, out since April 19, finally showed enough progress working out at Nationals Park to merit a trip south, where he begin to ramp things up.
"He's been throwing the last three or four days," manager Dusty Baker said. "He's been out quite a while. I think it's been six weeks. So he's back to where he kind of was prior to spring training, where that's how long he took off during the winter before he started throwing. So we're going to send him to Florida under supervision ... and then see how he progresses. Don't rush him. Just like spring training, don't rush him just to get him into games. But try to get him game-ready. And hopefully there will be no setbacks, and this will be like his spring training."
While this is an important step for SolÃs, his timeframe to rejoin the Nationals bullpen remains unclear. He shouldn't need a full, six-week rehab in Florida comparable to spring training, but he will need time to build his arm back up and then likely head out to pitch for a minor league affiliate.
The Nationals didn't think the injury was that severe when SolÃs was placed on the 10-day disabled list, but it proved to be more significant than expected. That said, it wasn't as serious as some feared, given the lefty's injury history.
"I'm just glad - and he was scared about, and I prayed about it - that it wasn't the return of another Tommy John," Baker said. "Cause it was in the same area, but it was a nerve. When a nerve gets upset, it usually takes a while to calm down. It's not like a muscle."
Because of his extensive history of arm issues, the Nationals will be particularly cautious with SolÃs.
"His history is what it is," Baker said. "We were monitoring him from day one. We hope that it doesn't come back. Is there a possibility with his history? Yes. But we'll do whatever we can to try to make sure Sammy's here at the end, which is most important."
Meanwhile, Joe Blanton has begun throwing for the first time since going on the DL last week with right shoulder inflammation. The veteran reliever, who had a 9.49 ERA in 14 appearances, isn't going to be rushed back, either.
"I talked to him yesterday for the first time. He said he's throwing," Baker said. "But again, we're going to take our time and make sure he's right, too."