<
>

Nationals reinstate Brian Goodwin, Adam Eaton begins rehab assignment

ATLANTA -- The Washington Nationals have reinstated outfielder Brian Goodwin from the disabled list after he missed 39 games with a left wrist contusion.

Manager Dave Martinez put Goodwin in Friday's lineup batting sixth against the Atlanta Braves to give center fielder Michael Taylor an off day.

Left fielder Adam Eaton will begin a rehab assignment this weekend at Double-Harrisburg and continue early next week at Single-A Potomac. He has missed 46 games with a left ankle bone bruise.

Martinez said first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, sidelined 17 games with a right oblique strain, and second baseman Murphy, still recovering from offseason micro-fracture surgery on his right knee, will be reevaluated by the team's medical staff early next week to determine a timetable.

Martinez added that Taylor will be back in the lineup on Saturday with Goodwin returning to his reserve role.

"Goodwin is a nice guy to have because he can play all three positions in the outfield," Martinez said. "He can pinch-run, steal a base, pinch-hit, drive the ball. For me, Michael is the center fielder. He saves us a lot of runs. I've got to be very conscious of getting these guys days off."