Jayson Werth’s toe has caused a hole in the lineup. In the three games he has missed because of a toe contusion, the hitters in the No. 2 spot of the lineup are a combined 1-for-11.
Thursday, Nationals manager Dusty Baker did not make it sound like Werth would be returning soon. The 37-year-old left fielder is on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to June 4, and has prompted Washington to use a makeshift group in his stead. Veteran Ryan Raburn and youngster Brian Goodwin have been used to replace Werth. Baker has decided to keep the rest of his lineup intact — it has produced the best offense in the National League as constructed — instead of moving a more accomplished hitter, like Anthony Rendon, into Werth’s lineup spot.