WASHINGTON -- The Nationals' outfield absorbed another blow Wednesday morning when they placed outfielder Brian Goodwin on the disabled list with a left groin strain, retroactive to Aug. 14. In a corresponding move, the Nats selected the contract of outfielder Alejandro De Aza, who was signed in June to provide outfield depth, and moved Trea Turner to the 60-day DL to clear room on the 40-man roster.
Goodwin becomes the latest Nationals outfielder on a crowded DL. Their entire Opening Day starting outfield is sidelined -- right fielder Bryce Harper (hyperextended left knee), center fielder Adam Eaton (torn left ACL) and left fielder Jayson Werth (fractured left foot) -- along with Ryan Raburn and now Goodwin. When he appears in a game, De Aza will become the 13th outfielder to play for Washington this season.
Nationals manager Dusty Baker did not have a clear sense of how long Goodwin would be sidelined, although he was hoping he could return sometime in the next week. Goodwin has filled in nicely while Washington is suffering through the litany of injuries. In 74 games this season, he owns a slash line of .251/.313/.498 with 13 home runs and six stolen bases.
Goodwin injured himself during the first game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Giants while sliding during a stolen base in the eighth inning.
"Anytime you do something in the groin, you don't want it to, even if it is minor, you don't want it to [turn worse] by continually playing," Baker said.
So as Baker struggles to find healthy bodies to play in the outfield, Howie Kendrick is making his first career start in right field Wednesday. That's why the Nats turned to De Aza, a nine-year Major League veteran, who gives Washington experience playing all three outfield positions at a time where they need depth. He has not played in the Majors this season, but he had a .771 OPS in 56 games at Triple-A Syracuse.
"Dude can play," Eaton, who was teammates with De Aza on the White Sox, said. "Every day, he's going to come ready to play. Pretty solid defender, can hit. Really works the count. He'll surprise you where he'll take first pitch 10 days in a row, then he'll swing first pitch the next 10 days.
"He's definitely a gamer, but he's a good teammate -- that's what we need in here. He's definitely going to come in and add a little bit of character to the clubhouse."
Worth noting
• Turner's transfer does not impact his timetable. He has been on the DL since June 30, and will almost certainly be sidelined for the next few weeks to reach 60 days.
• Baker initially believed right-hander Ryan Madson was dealing with a blister issue, but the Nationals are looking further into a problem with a finger on his throwing hand.
• Werth ran the bases Wednesday morning, his most intense training yet to test his left foot. He will travel to West Palm Beach, Fla., when the Nationals hit the road this weekend. If all goes well, he could be headed on a Minor League rehab assignment from there.