Thursday, May 17, 2012

Morse could return during next homestand

Though he's been targeting a June 8 return for some time, injured left fielder Michael Morse believes he could actually rejoin the Nationals sooner than that, perhaps during their next homestand.

Morse, out since spring training with a torn right lat muscle, has begun swinging a bat and playing catch for the first time since he was shut down during the first week of April after experiencing a setback while on a rehab assignment with Class A Hagerstown.

The Nationals have targeted the June 8 date as a likely return because it would allow Morse to ease his way back by serving as designated hitter for interleague series in Boston and Toronto.

Morse, though, told manager Davey Johnson this week he believes he could be ready when the Nationals open a six-game homestand on June 1 against the Braves.

"That was my day [June 8]," Johnson said. "I threw that out there trying to give the trainers and the doctors a date that I wanted him back swinging, because he could DH against the American League clubs on the eighth. We'd been set for that for about three weeks, and he came to me and said: 'When you come off the road trip, I'll be ready.' But he's feeling his oats."

Before the Nationals let Morse return that soon, they'll have to be convinced his injury is completely healed -- at last check, doctors said the tear was 80 percent healed -- and see evidence of him both hitting and throwing in rehab games.

Morse intends to go to extended spring training in Viera, Fla., next week while the Nationals are on the road. If things progress well there, he could go play for one of their minor-league affiliates around Memorial Day.

"He looks strong," Johnson said. "I've been in the workout room when he's working out, and he's doing things that you can't do when you're hurt. He's lifting things and doing things. He's in good shape. I'm not worried about him running around the outfield, because he's been doing a lot of aerobics and stuff like that and his legs are in great shape. As big and strong as he is, the doctors tell him he can go, and they're expanding and letting him do pretty much everything right now. So I don't think it's going to take much time."

18 comments:

Sean Kelly said...

Awesome News

LoveDaNats said...

Yay Beast!

MicheleS said...

Gorse hacking will commense shortly

NatsFanChris said...

Certainly good news, but still makes me a bit nervous. I was more comfortable with him easing in as a DH then jumping straight into starting in the outfield (especially when its just a 1-week difference)

whatsanattau said...

Holding breath.

No, seriously ... I'm holding my breath.

Go Mikey

Faraz Shaikh said...

that would be awesome.

JaneB said...

Wow! I'd been bracing for a setback. This is great news! That will be fun to see the cobra whatever thing he calls it uncoil at the plate again. Go Mikey! See you soon!

UnkyD said...

MicheleS said...
Gorse hacking will commense shortly
---------------
... And a good thing, too!!! The gorse is so heavy I can barely find the mailbox!!!

Rough stretch of schedule, coming up, but if Mikey and RZim can find their grooves by the end of June, with Druuu coming back, things are gonna heat up, around here!!!

gYFNGOGOGOGOGO!!!!!

Doc said...

Good news!

The Mickey Morse virtual fan club will commence meetings as of June 1st!!!!!

Gooooooooooooo Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeast!!!!!

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooo Naaaaaaaaaaats!!!!!!

Lets fantasize many multihomer games from RZim, Oppo Boppo, ALR, Desi, Espi, The Beast, and whoever else wants to chip in!!!!!

natsfan1a said...

I am very encouraged, while also holding my breath. Okay, what the heck. Wheeeeeeeeeeee!

(Yeah, I think the kids lost a Frisbee in there, too, Unk. Maybe get out the weed whacker as well.)

peric said...

It may take Morse a while to get going ... but the sooner he gets that out of the way the better ... of course one could say that about most all the Nats hitters ... :) Plus it'll be nice to send Tyler Moore back to AAA so that he can play everyday.

RickH said...

BEAST!!!

NatsNut said...

80%? Please don't rush back! Please make really, really, super-duper, hyper sure that it's ok before starting back.

natsfan1a said...

Agreed, NatsNut.

SFNats said...

Bench this stiff and play Lombo!

(Sorry, just thought I'd get ahead of the curve.)

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I guess the fact is 80% for an athlete is not good enough. He needs to be close to 100%. What takes these muscles so long to heal?

NatFanBethesda said...

Time to get in beast Mode. Lineup starts getting potent with Morse there.

NattyWrite said...

Well, at the very least we'll get to hear the Ghostbusters theme as he sashays to the plate (assuming he still kept it).

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