PHOENIX -- The Nationals will likely need to add an outfielder to their roster before Sunday's series finale against the D-backs. The team already had planned to place Ryan Raburn on the bereavement list Sunday after the death of his grandfather, and then outfielder Chris Heisey suffered a groin injury during his triple in the sixth inning of Saturday's 4-3 victory.
The extent of Heisey's injury was unclear, however, and Washington has been piecing together its outfield lately with Michael Taylor and Jayson Werth on the disabled list. If Heisey cannot play Sunday, the Nationals would have only two true outfielders on their roster.
"There's a concern," manager Dusty Baker said after a meeting with general manager Mike Rizzo. "That's what we were discussing today. Might have to make a move."
Adam Lind does have experience in left field, but left-hander Robbie Ray is starting Sunday for Arizona and Lind struggles against lefties. Wilmer Difo has been the primary shortstop lately, and he does have two games of Major League experience in the outfield, although he is far from comfortable there.
When Raburn is placed on the bereavement list, the Nationals were planning on calling up catcher Pedro Severino to replace him, according to a report by the Washington Post. The club has not commented on the report.
Now, the Nationals either would have to pivot from Severino or place Heisey on the DL -- if they can get another outfielder to Arizona in time for the 4:05 p.m. ET game.
Another issue for the Nationals is they do not have any true outfielders remaining on the 40-man roster. Jose Marmolejos is primarily a first baseman but does have some experience in the outfield. The Nationals are almost certainly going to need an emergency outfielder, but it is unclear who that might be.
"We're getting mighty thin on outfielders," Baker said.