Raburn on DL, leaving Nats short in outfield

WASHINGTON -- Manager Dusty Baker seemed confident the Nationals would regain the outfield help they need when Ryan Raburn returned from the bereavement list after his grandfather's passing. Raburn arrived Wednesday after a four-day hiatus, but he was placed on the 10-day DL with a left trapezius strain.
Against the D-backs on Friday, Raburn dove for Jeff Mathis' single in left field in the first inning and walked around gingerly afterward. Raburn played the whole game, but Baker said later the outfielder may have been banged up on that play.
Without Raburn, who's hitting .262 in 25 games, Washington has two healthy outfielders in Bryce Harper and Brian Goodwin. Jayson Werth, Adam Eaton, Chris Heisey and Michael A. Taylor are on the DL.
Adam Lind started in left field for the first two games of the series against the Brewers after Wilmer Difo played there Sunday. Lind played left for a minimum of 55 games per season from 2007-09, but he didn't play there at all from 2011-16.
Baker said he'd prefer Lind pinch-hit and back up first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, but he doesn't have much choice.

"He's really there out of necessity," Baker said. "I spend hours trying to cover every hole, but sometimes you've got what you got."
Difo (.255 batting average) and Stephen Drew (.253) are the Nats' main options to hit in the two-hole without Raburn and usual top-of-the-order hitters Trea Turner and Werth.
Worth noting
Reliever Shawn Kelley and Werth partook in a 10-minute simulation game before the Nationals faced the Brewers on Wednesday. Both appear likely to begin rehab assignments soon.
Kelley has been on the DL since May 5 with a lower back strain after posting a 7.00 ERA and giving up nine home runs in 22 appearances. Werth, who's been on the DL since June 5 with a toe injury, seems able to perform all baseball activity except running.