Werth scheduled for surgery Friday on AC joint in right shoulder

Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth will undergo arthroscopic surgery on the AC joint in his right shoulder tomorrow, a source has confirmed, and is expected to be sidelined two to three months.

The 35-year-old Werth dealt with inflammation in his right AC joint last season, when he slashed .292/.394/.455 in 147 games. The problem in his throwing shoulder caused him to miss six games in August when pain from the injury got progressively worse. An MRI showed no structural damage and Werth received a Cortisone injection and played the rest of the season and postseason.

Though Werth could conceivably be ready by opening day, the timetable for recovery will be a tight one. It's possible that Werth misses most of spring training and starts the season on the disabled list or a minor league rehabilitation assignment to get him some game reps.

Werth and Bryce Harper are slated to switch positions for 2015, with Harper manning right field and Werth moving to left field. With the trade of Steven Souza Jr. to the Rays, the Nats are a little thin in left field. Fourth outfielder Nate McLouth is still recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, although he is expected to be ready for spring training.

Ryan Zimmerman played some left field when he returned from the disabled list last season, but is slated to be the full-time first baseman after the departure of Adam LaRoche as a free agent. Zimmerman underwent a similar surgery in October 2012, after taking Cortisone injections to make it through the season, and was ready for opening day. But Werth's surgery is being performed much later in the offseason, though a reason for the delay is unclear.

Werth's injury could open the door for more playing time for players like Michael A. Taylor, Kevin Frandsen, Tyler Moore or Jeff Kobernus.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com first reported news of Werth's upcoming surgery.