Washington Nationals' Injury Woes Continue: Adam LaRoche Scratched from Lineup

Who else can fall victim to injury for the Washington Nationals this season?

They began the season without their closer Drew Storen and slugger Michael Morse, recently placed Ryan Zimmerman and Mark DeRosa on the DL and on Thursday were forced to scratch Adam LaRoche from the lineup, their most productive hitter thus far in 2012. 

LaRoche fell victim to oblique soreness and has been replaced at first base with Chad Tracy while Jayson Werth moves into the fourth spot in the order.

Dan Kolko reported the lineup change via twitter Thursday afternoon:

"

Adam LaRoche has been scratched with right oblique soreness. Werth now hitting cleanup. Tracy playing 1B hitting 5th. #Nats

— Dan Kolko (@DanKolko) May 3, 2012"

They simply can not afford any more injuries to their ballclub this early in the season.

The best thing that happened to the Nationals was the fantastic start they had to begin the year. It provided them the breathing room if something like this were to happen.

The move comes after Bryce Harper was announced to be the No. 3 hitter for the first time in his career. The Nats will hold their breathes again, in hopes that this is nothing more than soreness for LaRoche. 

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