Williams on Span, Barrett and Werth

The Nationals revealed before Saturday's game that outfielder Denard Span is dealing with concussion symptoms. Span collided with Braves second baseman Dan Uggla late in Friday's game and has been dealing with a mild headache since, according to manager Matt Williams. "Given his history we thought certainly erring on the side of caution to go ahead and get him on the seven-day concussion disabled list," Williams said before Saturday's game in Atlanta. The Nats center fielder has suffered from concussions in his career while he was a member of the Twins. Span has not experienced any other symptoms, outside of the headache. Williams said Span will rest before he returns to baseball activities. In addition to placing Span on the seven-day disabled list, the Nationals also optioned reliever Aaron Barrett to Triple-A Syracuse and recalled Blake Treinen to take his spot in the bullpen. Treinen will serve as the Nationals' long man in an overused bullpen. Williams said optioning Barrett to Syracuse was not an easy decision. The rookie reliever is 1-0 in six games, pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings and has struck out six. He picked up his first major league win on opening day against the Mets. "The issue with Aaron is he's done everything we've asked him to do," Williams said. "Above and beyond, but the way our bullpen is situated right now, we needed a guy that could give us length. It's one of those decisions that you make because you have to make it, not because you want to make it." Williams said there's a "very strong" chance Barrett will return to the Nats bullpen in 10 days, when he is eligible to be called back up to the club. Finally, Williams said outfielder Jayson Werth is feeling better one day after leaving Friday's game early due to a cramp in his groin. Werth is available off the bench for the Nationals.