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Nats' Murphy to make season debut as DH vs. Yankees

Brad Mills / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

The Washington Nationals are taking advantage of interleague play, as Daniel Murphy will make his long-awaited season debut Tuesday as the club's designated hitter after missing the first two months with a knee injury.

Murphy, 33, underwent microfracture knee surgery in October and was expected to miss Opening Day. Due to setbacks, the second baseman didn't begin a rehab assignment until late May.

Playing against the New York Yankees in Yankee Stadium, Murphy is slated to bat fifth and act as the designated hitter in his first game back.

Over 10 games with Double-A Harrisburg, Murphy posted a .243/.364/.459 slash line. Since signing with the Nationals prior to the 2016 season, he's been among the league-leading second basemen in WAR while pacing the entire field in OPS.

Washington will begin a two-game set in the Bronx on Tuesday, with Murphy and the rest of the Nationals set to face veteran left-hander CC Sabathia in the opener.

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