Paul DeJong, an infielder with the Washington Nationals and former St. Louis Cardinals, may not be available until after the All-Star break because he is still recovering from a broken nose, according to a report by Spencer Nusbaum of the Washington Post. Dave Martinez, manager of the Nationals, stated, “I believe they have now stated that it will be approximately a month before he can truly engage in any activities.”
On April 15, Mitch Keller of the Pittsburgh Pirates struck DeJong in the face with an incorrect fastball, causing his first injury.
DeJong was put on the 10-day injury list the next day and hasn’t played since. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the 31-year-old slugger needed surgery to fix his orbital plate and sinuses, which was done on April 28. “We’ll see, but hopefully he returns around the All-Star break. Time will tell, after all. Therefore, for now, it’s all about mending with him. Martinez stated.
DeJong combined for 24 home runs with the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals last season, but he also struck out a career-high 156 times in 445 at-bats. In mid-February, DeJong, who had been traded before the trade deadline the previous two seasons, agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Nationals. Prior to the injury, the former All-Star had a poor season at the plate, slashing.204/.246/.278 with two walks and 24 strikeouts in 57 plate appearances.
In DeJong’s absence, José Tena has been manning third base, hitting.261 with five RBI in 15 games. Brady House, the Nationals’ third-ranked prospect, is hitting.292 with five home runs and 16 RBI for Triple-A Rochester this season.
