Nationals get Denard Span back for playoff push (Tanner Roark optioned)

By Josh Land

Nationals

August 25, 2015, 11:47am

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It only took 123 games, but it finally appears the Nationals will play with their entire projected opening day lineup when they take on the Padres tonight. Center fielder Denard Span has been reinstated from the disabled list after back spasms sidelined him on July 7.

Span missed the first 12 games of the season after undergoing core muscle surgery in early March. It was his second abdominal procedure of the offseason after experiencing hernia surgery in mid-December. Lingering effects from both procedures potentially led to his back issues, which first surfaced during a loss to the Cubs on June 7.

The Nationals are 35-24 when Span has started this season. Despite the interruptions to his season, Span has hit .304 with five homers, 15 doubles. 22 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.

In order to make room for Span, the Nationals optioned right-hander Tanner Roark to Single-A Potomac, where he will be stretched out as a starter. Roark will eventually be needed in the rotation because rookie right-hander Joe Ross, who has already worked 132 2/3 innings between the minors and majors this season, is on an innings limit.

Roark is 4-4 with four holds, one save and a 4.54 ERA in 34 games, including six starts, this season. He has made 42 career starts for the Nats, including 31 in 2014, when he went 15-10.