Nationals' Trea Turner to Join Single-A to Begin Finger Injury Rehab Assignment

In need of a quick fix to turn their season around, the Washington Nationals are close to getting Trea Turner back in the lineup.

Per MASN Sports' Mark Zuckerman, Turner will begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday with Washington's Single-A affiliate in Potomac, Maryland. 

Turner appeared in the Nationals' first four games this season before breaking his right index finger on April 2 against the Philadelphia Phillies. He was hit in the hand on a bunt attempt when a pitch from Zach Eflin came high and inside. 

Despite the limited sample size, Turner was off to a red-hot start in 2019 with a .357/.400/.857 slash line and eight extra-base hits in just 14 at-bats. 

Last season was Turner's first injury-free year in the big leagues. The 25-year-old appeared in all 162 games, setting a career high with 19 homers and leading the National League with 43 stolen bases. 

Wilmer Difo has been filling in for Turner at shortstop over the past six weeks. He's hit just .239/.301/.310 in 36 games. 

The Nationals own the NL's second-worst record at 16-24 entering play Tuesday. Only the Miami Marlins (10-29) have been worse to this point in the season.