Werth's return gives Williams options in the lineup

BOSTON - Jayson Werth has been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list and is expected to be in uniform and in left field when the Nationals play in the season's first game at Fenway Park later this afternoon.

Werth rejoined his team in Philadelphia last night in time for a disco ball celebration in the team clubhouse after the Nats' second win. He had been targeting today as a return date since his January surgery to repair his right shoulder, which was initially injured while making a catch against the wall in August at Nats Park.

The Nats offense isn't quite desperate yet, but it could undoubtedly use a strong shot of adrenaline after beginning the season with center fielder Denard Span (core muscle surgery), third baseman Anthony Rendon (left MCL sprain) and Werth on the disabled list.

Without last year's first through third hitters in the lineup, the offense has been anemic. The Nats' .194 team batting average is worst in the majors and they share the basement with the Twins with the fewest runs scored at 13. That's what happens when you're 7-for-39 with runners in scoring position.

Werth was one of the Nats' key run producers, batting third last season, driving in 82 and blasting 16 homers. He was named the National League's Player of the Month in July.

So the question is, where does Nationals manager Matt Williams fit him into the current lineup? Right fielder Bryce Harper has been occupying Werth's spot in the three-hole, while first baseman Ryan Zimmerman has been hitting cleanup. Does Williams move everyone down to fit Werth in third? Or does the absence of Span and Rendon allow Williams to try Werth at the first two spots in the order?

Werth has batted leadoff successfully before and Williams mentioned him as a candidate for the role once Span went down in spring training. Center fielder Michael A. Taylor, Span's replacement in the field and the order, has hit safely in five of the first six games including a leadoff homer and two doubles. But Taylor has also already struck out an alarming 10 times in his first 25 at-bats.

On the other hand, third baseman Yunel Escobar hasn't struck out yet, delivering seven hits in his first 23 at-bats (.304) while batting second.

"Knock on wood," said Williams. "It's going to happen eventually I'd imagine, but just he just makes contact, draws walks, sets up our offense a little bit with the top three guys out. He's a good guy to have at the top of our order because he's on base a lot."

Werth gave his thoughts about the lineup possibilities three weeks ago in camp.

"I don't make those decisions, luckily for me, so I'll hit wherever," Werth said. "It makes no difference. I've hit leadoff, but I think where I'm at, where our team's at, I think I would be better served possibly in the middle of the order somewhere. But if it's not and they decide to lead me off, then I did a pretty good job in 2012. We won however many games we won and I ended up leading off then, so whatever. I don't care as long as I'm in the lineup."

My guess is he's back in the third spot in the order. Wherever Williams slots him though, he'll be expected to produce right away for an offense that's starving for runs.

To make room on the 25-man roster for Werth, the Nats optioned outfielder Matt den Dekker to Triple-A Syracuse. den Dekker, acquired on March 30 from the Mets for reliever Jerry Blevins, was 0-for-2 in four games.