Nationals may need emergency additions today to fill outfield

PHOENIX - Already dealing with a thin outfield following the long-term injuries to two starters and their primary backup, the Nationals now may find themselves in a full-fledged outfield crisis for today's series finale against the Diamondbacks.

Ryan Raburn is going on the bereavement list today following his grandfather's death. And Chris Heisey may need to go on the disabled list after tweaking his groin during a key triple in Saturday night's 4-3 victory at Chase Field.

Even if Heisey can avoid the DL, he would be only the third true outfielder on the Nationals' active roster, joining Bryce Harper and Brian Goodwin. Adam Lind is capable of playing left field, and Wilmer Difo started one game in center field (with less-than-ideal results), and so the club may have no choice but to summon at least one more true outfielder from the minors and rush to get that player to Phoenix in time for a 1:10 p.m. MST first pitch.

Manager Dusty Baker spent more than 20 minutes in his office with general manager Mike Rizzo after Saturday night's game before meeting with reporters, an unusual occurrence but a necessary one given the need to sort out the situation ASAP.

"Especially with Raburn having to leave, there's a concern," Baker said. "That's what we were discussing today. Might have to make a move. We'll let you know tomorrow."

It won't be easy to get any new players to Phoenix with much time to spare before the game. Triple-A Syracuse is playing in Columbus, Ohio, this weekend. Double-A Harrisburg is at home. Neither city boasts non-stop flights to Phoenix.

Further complicating matters is the fact the Nationals have no more healthy outfielders on their 40-man roster. Jayson Werth and Michael A. Taylor are on the 10-day disabled list. Adam Eaton is on the 60-day DL. Rafael Bautista is on the minor league DL.

Thus the organization will have no choice but to promote a player who is not already on the 40-man roster, necessitating a corresponding move to clear space.

The potential call-ups: Veteran Alejandro De Aza, who is hitting .250 with a .364 on-base percentage in 34 games at Syracuse; veteran utilityman Brandon Snyder, who is hitting .260 with 13 homers in 80 games at Syracuse; prospect Andrew Stevenson, who after a torrid start at Harrisburg that earned him a promotion is hitting .246 with a .293 on-base percentage at Syracuse.