Nationals reinstate outfielder Jayson Werth from disabled list

The Washington Nationals returned from rehab and reinstated outfielder Jayson Werth from the 15-day disabled list on Monday, and optioned outfielder Matt den Dekker to Triple-A Syracuse. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Werth, 35, returns to the Nationals' active roster after missing the first six games of the 2015 season following offseason (January 9) surgery on the AC joint in his right shoulder. On a three-game rehab assignment with Single-A Potomac, Werth was 1-for-6 with three walks and one home run. A career .276 hitter with a .370 on-base percentage, Werth has hit .282 with a .375 on-base percentage and a .452 slugging percentage in his first four seasons with the Nationals (507 games). Since arriving in the District in 2011, Werth has hit 108 doubles, five triples and 66 home runs. He has driven in 253 runs, stolen 46 bases and been caught stealing just seven times. The veteran outfielder will transition his primary defensive position from right field to left field this season with Bryce Harper taking over in right. den Dekker, 27, appeared in four games for the Nationals off the bench. He was 0-for-2 at the plate. den Dekker was acquired from the New York Mets on March 30 in exchange for left-handed pitcher Jerry Blevins.