Washington outfielder Jayson Werth began a rehab assignment with Class A Potomac on Thursday night with the Nationals hoping that he could return to the major leagues by the end of the month.
Werth started in left field for Potomac and went 1-for-2 with one strikeout in its 1-0 loss to Myrtle Beach.
The 36-year-old Werth is recovering from a broken left wrist suffered May 15 in San Diego after he was hit by a pitch from right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne. The Nationals were expecting Werth to be back in the majors around Aug. 1, but his return could be pushed up if his rehab stint goes well without any setbacks.
Werth underwent surgery two weeks after the injury when two small fractures were discovered in the wrist. He resumed baseball activities two weeks ago and has been swinging a bat and working in the outfield.
The 2015 season started with Werth on the disabled list recovering from shoulder surgery. Once he returned, he played in 27 games for the Nationals and was batting .208 with two home runs and 12 RBIs before he sustained the broken wrist.