The Washington Nationals activated Adam Eaton from the disabled list and will slot him into right field in his first game back Saturday against the San Francisco Giants.
Eaton is in RF, Harper in CF, Taylor on the bench ... pic.twitter.com/wf9KtmJUqr
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) June 9, 2018
To make room in right, superstar outfielder Bryce Harper will shift over to center - a position the 25-year-old hasn't played in three years.
Eaton, who will bat leadoff in his return, has missed all but eight games this season due to an ankle injury. After it was misdiagnosed as a bone bruise, the 29-year-old underwent arthroscopic ankle surgery to repair a cartilage tear.
He was off to a hot start before the surgery, going 10-for-29 with a pair of home runs and three walks. Eaton is a natural center fielder, and it appears the Nationals will try to ease him back into outfield work by playing him in a corner spot.
Harper, meanwhile, has cost the Nationals nearly seven runs while playing right field this season, according to FanGraphs' defensive metrics. Not known for his defensive prowess, Saturday's contest will be his first appearance in center field since 2015, when he managed 100 1/3 innings.
The Nationals have a few options in center, with Michael A. Taylor beginning Saturday's game on the bench. However, keeping rookie sensation Juan Soto's hot bat in the lineup seemed to be a priority, as the 19-year-old gets the start in left.
After the lineup was posted, Washington skipper Dave Martinez said all four outfielders will share playing time, and that Harper offered to play outfield, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASN.
