Heisey pulled off rehab assignment, not ready to return from DL

OAKLAND, Calif. - Chris Heisey has rejoined the Nationals, but that doesn't mean he's about to rejoin the active roster.

Heisey was pulled of his rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg after only two games and four total at-bats, and flew to California to meet up with the Nats training and coaching staffs prior to tonight's series opener against the Athletics.

Out since May 24 with a ruptured right biceps tendon, the veteran outfielder appears to need some more time to recover from the injury.

"I heard, just from talking to my trainers, we have to re-evaluate things," manager Dusty Baker said. "Perhaps he might have rushed it a little bit, sooner than he should have."

The injury sounded severe when it occurred, but doctors told Heisey he could attempt to rehab without surgery, and he was back on the field shagging fly balls within days of landing on the disabled list. When the Nationals headed west to begin this long road trip, he headed to Harrisburg for his rehab assignment.

But after going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, Heisey left Harrisburg. He was at Oakland Coliseum today, getting electric stimulation treatment on his upper right arm, which was badly bruised.

"He felt good," Baker said. "As far as what I can tell you, he might have rushed it. I thought it was a miracle in the first place. His arm is black and blue, which is to be expected. We'll just have to reevaluate things."

With Heisey on the DL and Bryce Harper currently serving his three-game suspension, the Nationals have only three true outfielders on their active roster: Jayson Werth, Michael A. Taylor and Brian Goodwin. Backup first baseman Adam Lind has been working out in left field and is likely to start out there Saturday afternoon, giving Werth a chance to serve as designated hitter.

With Lind DHing tonight, the Nationals are playing with a three-man bench: backup catcher Jose Lobaton and infielders Stephen Drew and Wilmer Difo.

"It's only for a couple more days," Baker said. "And then we'll make changes."