The Washington Nationals activated outfielder Jayson Werth from the 15-day disabled list Monday.
Werth, 35, returns to the Nationals’ active roster after missing the first six games of the season following offseason surgery in January on the AC joint in his right shoulder. On a three-game rehab assignment with Class Potomac, Werth was 1-for-6 with three walks and one home run.
“I feel good. I haven’t had a lot of at-bats, but I’m about to get a bunch,” Werth said Sunday. “It was a tough January, Feburary, March. I was just trying. I’m glad to be back. I felt really good.”
Last year, Werth hit .292 with 16 home runs and 82 RBIs in 147 games.
A career .276 hitter with a .370 on-base percentage, Werth has hit .282 with a .375 on-base percentage and a .452 slugging percentage in his first four seasons with the Nationals in 507 games. Since arriving in 2011, Werth has hit 108 doubles, five triples and 66 home runs. He has driven in 253 runs, stolen 46 bases and been caught stealing just seven times.
Werth will transition his primary defensive position from right field to left field this season with Bryce Harper taking over in right.
The Nationals also optioned outfielder Matt den Dekker to Triple-A Syracuse. The 27-year-old appeared in four games for the Nationals off the bench, going 0-for-2. He was acquired from the New York Mets on March 30.