McLouth getting second opinion on ailing right shoulder

Outfielder Nate McLouth's inflamed right shoulder isn't responding as quickly to treatment as the Nationals had hoped, so he'll see another doctor to get a second opinion.

McLouth, who signed a two-year, $10.75 million deal in December to be a fourth outfielder and defensive specialist for the Nats, has been on the 15-day disabled list since Aug. 4. He's hitting .173 with a home run and seven RBIs in 79 games.

"The fact that he's going to go have a second look is concerning, of course," manager Matt Williams said during his pregame media session. "We would hope that it would be taken care of and it's going to be OK. The fact that he's having a second look at it is concerning to us. But we want to do that to make sure we're taking the proper path to making it better. It's certainly standard to have a second look and have somebody else give an opinion on it."

While Williams and the Nationals may be concerned, McLouth's injury is more troubling considering the dearth of outfielders because of injury. Rookie Steven Souza Jr. went on the DL with a right shoulder strain on Aug. 10 and right fielder Jayson Werth has not started a game since Aug. 7 because of inflammation in the AC joint of his right shoulder, but he has so far avoided the disabled list.

The Nats had to recall rookie Michael A. Taylor - who had played less than a week at Triple-A Syracuse after tearing up Eastern League pitching at Double-A Harrisburg - as an extra outfielder.

Williams said Werth would hit off a tee today, the next progression in his comeback, and could be available off the bench tonight or tomorrow. But the need for Werth to complete a full workout tomorrow suggests he might be held out of the starting lineup until Sunday.

"He did some running yesterday, did some outfield drills - certainly light tossing yesterday," Williams said of Werth. "Stepped that up just a little bit today. Look for some swinging off the tee, make sure it feels good. Potentially available tonight off the bench, certainly available tomorrow off the bench."

Souza, Williams said, is feeling better and will soon begin to ramp up his baseball activities. Williams hopes Souza can get a couple of games of a minor league rehabilitation assignment in before rejoining the Nats.