MLB Spring Training 2012: Several Key Washington Nationals Sidelined

The Washington Nationals are beginning to prepare themselves for April 5th's season opener at Wrigley Field, but it's becoming more and more likely that they may be without some of their key contributors.

Cleanup hitter Michael Morse has recently undergone a second treatment on his strained right lat, and this has put Morse's availability on Opening Day in jeopardy.

Morse first complained of the injury on March 6 and received a cortisone shot on March 10. On the 12th and 13th, Morse served as the team's designated hitter. He has not been able to play the field since the injury, as his throwing is limited to 90-feet or fewer.

On Tuesday, the team advised Morse to not participate in any baseball-related activities for a week. Now, it seems as if he may be out longer.

The treatment he received, most likely a platelet-rich plasma injection, is a similar treatment to the ones undergone by Tiger Woods, Alex Rodriguez, and most recently, Zach Britton.

There's still a small possibility that Morse will be able to play on Opening Day, but manager Davey Johnson put it best when he said, "To be clear, it's really unclear."

Another key player with an uncertain fate is closer Drew Storen, who was sent for tests on his right arm. He has not pitched in a game in more than two weeks.

He was recently sidelined with soreness in his triceps and strep throat, but he felt more discomfort while playing catch on Wednesday.

Davey Johnson has no timetable for his return, either.

“The way he pitches, his arm is in tremendous shape. His velocity, his movement. He threw a lot of innings last year. He builds up a lot of innings, throwing a lot, not in the closer role early. And he’s my closer. With him, I want to make sure he’s 100 percent healthy and he doesn’t do too much, because he’s going to be my closer. And the way he’s throwing, he’s a throwaholic. He likes to throw. Hard. We’re just going to be very cautious on him."

We should know more on Friday regarding Storen's condition.

Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post has reported that right-hander Chien-Ming Wang has been deemed doubtful for Opening Day by Davey Johnson.

The doctors have estimated Wang's return time to be about two weeks after the injury was suffered (March 15 against the Yankees), but Johnson believes that he will not be ready in time.

“He’s got a lot of bleeding in there. He’s moving around, walking good. But from what I saw today, he’s got quite a bit of blood in there. Before he gets on the mound, I’d say three weeks, maybe a month. I saw a lot of blood in there. I was surprised at all the bleeding.”

Well, it sure sounds like Johnson noticed some blood. Taking it easy with Wang is probably a wise decision, as he has been hampered by numerous injuries over the past several seasons.

Wang's injury most likely means that left-hander John Lannan will be the team's fifth starter come Opening Day. After Wang's return, it's likely that Lannan will be traded.

But, that's not all.

Lefty Sean Burnett was scratched from Wednesday's game with back spasms, but it was reported that he was feeling better Thursday morning.

Davey Johnson doesn't seem worried at all about Burnett: "His arm is in great shape. He's throwing great...Probably a couple more days."

First baseman Adam LaRoche is also questionable for the start of the season, as he is nursing a bruised left foot.

The team is not worried about the relatively minor injury and should LaRoche be sidelined for Opening Day, don't expect him to be placed on the disabled list.

Out of the team's biggest injuries, Davey Johnson has said that LaRoche has the best shot of playing when the season begins.

“It’s probably more iffy with [Morse and Wang] to open the season,” Johnson said.

Good thing for the Nationals, none of the aforementioned injuries are serious. As soon as the players are healthy and ready, they'll suit up to begin the Nationals' goal of becoming a playoff team for the first time in team history.