Williams on Desmond's slow start, plus updates on injured starters

Shortstop Ian Desmond has had a rough start on offense, going 0-for-7 with two strikeouts and no walks in the first two games.

On Thursday morning, Nationals manager Matt Williams said he believes he knows why Desmond has had a slow start and what he'll need to do to change things at the plate.

"I think the first two games anyway, his timing is a touch off, he looks a touch late to me, so he's working hard on making sure he is on time," Williams said. "When it's on time it's special, it's powerful. He can do a lot of things on the baseball field, (but) like anybody, if he's not on time then you can struggle a little bit. And the guys that we've seen - Bartolo (Colon), great movement, great late movement. (Jacob) deGrom last night with a real good fastball and an even better one coming today from Matt (Harvey). On time is really important. He's working hard on that. He'll figure it out quickly."

Williams had a positive injury update on all three starters on the disabled list. He said that third baseman Anthony Rendon (left knee sprain) has been doing some running and lateral work to test the knee stabilization.

"Yesterday, he did a little bit of side-to-side movement, which has been the issue," Williams updated. "He's been running straight. He'll start some modified groundball activity, which is just making sure that he's getting into the position he needs too without irritating the area. Yesterday, he did some figure eight stuff where he has to change some direction, which is a good step. We'll evaluate that and go from there.

"The more he can tolerate in that regard, the better. And the more stuff he can do to get into baseball shape, ultimately that's what's most important. It's one of those spots where if he does go side to side or twists on it, it can irritate it. So we want to stay away from that."

Williams also said that center fielder Denard Span (right core muscle surgery) and reliever Casey Janssen (right shoulder inflammation) will travel to the Nationals' training facility in Viera, Fla., to rehab.

"Denard will go full workout today, go back to Viera," Williams said. "He and Casey Janssen will go back to Viera today. Casey will start his throwing program. We have simulated games set up for (Span) for the next couple of days so he can get multiple at-bats without having to go through a real game situation. He can lead off every inning if he wants to. Get him on the base paths, get him playing some defense. Work through those two sessions, and then see where we are at from there and when we can get him out for a rehab assignment."

Williams said Span could accelerate his rehab if he feels progress.

"It's not like we're looking at six weeks from now necessarily," the manager said. "It can turn quickly if he feels good about it. If there's no issue pain-wise, then he can progress fairly quickly."

Left fielder Jayson Werth is still on schedule to be in Woodbridge, Va., tonight to play seven innings on opening night for the high Single-A Potomac Nationals. He will wear jersey No. 44. The only roadblock would be rain in the forecast.

"The weather will impact his playing, depending on what the weather is," Williams said. "His plan is to go through a full BP today, watch some of the game, travel to Potomac and play in that game. There is nothing we can do about Momma Nature. If there is weather there, then we will have to deal with it and he will play as much as he can and then look to tomorrow."

Williams said Werth has been able to get in some cold weather at-bats this week and Friday looks even better.

"Evidently, the weather is supposed to warm up tomorrow, so that will help. We'll get him some at-bats and get him going again," Williams said.