Ian Desmond reacts to Trea Turner joining Nationals

Ian Desmond is experiencing the toughest season of his seven-year career. The 29-year-old has slashed a lowly .211/.255/.334 with a .589 OPS through the first three months, hitting just eight homers, driving in only 24 runs and committing a whopping 20 errors.

But since the All-Star break, Desmond revived his season, batting .274 while leading the Nationals with eight homers and 21 RBIs. The Nats shortstop has improved in the field as well, recording just three errors.

With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Desmond was joined in the Nationals clubhouse this afternoon by his likely successor at shortstop, 22-year-old Trea Turner.

The Nationals summoned the highly-regarded Turner from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday after sending Tyler Moore to the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left ankle.

"Being a middle infielder, it's like a fraternity, so anytime another guy gets called up, you're obviously happy for him," Desmond said. "Everything I hear is great and it sounds like he's going to help our club a lot."

The Padres selected Turner 13th overall in the 2014 First-Year Draft and then dealt him last December to the Nats as part of a three-team trade which also netted rookie right-hander Joe Ross.

The speedy Turner was batting .314 with three homers, three triples, seven doubles, 14 stolen bases and 15 RBIs in 48 games for Syracuse.

Desmond, who reportedly passed on a seven-year, $107 million contract extension prior to the 2014 season, was asked before tonight's game about his reaction to Turner, the Nats expected shortstop of the future, joining the team.

"I feel great," Desmond said. "Everything I hear, like I said, is that he's an unbelievable player. I'm excited to watch him go about his business. This is about winning right now. There's no personal agendas here. This is about the Nationals and getting Ws and that's got to be our focus."

Desmond was 23 when he smacked a three-run homer in his major league debut in September 2009.

"It's kind of an organic process where you just take in everything," Desmond said when asked what Turner can expect. "It's fun. It's exciting. You just kind of got to relish in it and just fully enjoy it. I think the guys in here are going to make him feel really welcome. And I'm sure he's going to have fun."

Desmond likes the Nationals' position as they prepare to begin a nine-game home stand, trailing the first-place Mets by four games in the National League East.

"I think this is a great opportunity for us coming off a series win in Colorado with a little bit of momentum going and some guys swinging the bats well," Desmond said. "It's gonna be exciting for our fans to watch us kind of go after it."