Morse plays five innings in right field during rehab game

By Dan Kolko

Nationals

May 31, 2012, 6:09pm

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For the first time since re-aggravating a strained lat and being shut down in early April, outfielder Michael Morse played the field during a rehab game with Single-A Potomac tonight. Morse played five innings in right field and went 0-for-3 at the plate, making him 3-for-9 with a double and a walk in his three games with the P-Nats. Most importantly, however, he told reporters in Woodbridge, Va., that he felt no issues with his lat muscle while making a long throw from the warning track. Morse said he feels fine health-wise, and if the Nats ask him to return to the lineup, he'll give it the go-ahead. "I'm ready," Morse said. The Nationals could activate Morse off the disabled list as early as tomorrow, and he could be in the lineup against the Braves tomorrow night. The team could also play things a bit more conservatively and have Morse continue his rehab assignment for another game or two, allowing him to get a little more time in the field before returning to the majors. Regardless, tonight was a big step. Prior to his lengthy team-imposed shutdown, Morse only felt the lat while throwing, and he conquered that hurdle tonight without issue.