The Washington Nationals placed outfielder Ben Revere on the 15-day disabled list with a right oblique strain, per Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com.

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Den Dekker to Take Revere’s Spot on MLB Roster

Wednesday, April 6

As a result of Revere’s trip to the DL, the Nationals called up Matt den Dekker from their Triple-A affiliate. Den Dekker hit five home runs, drove in 12 runs and batted .253 in 55 games for the team last year.

Washington’s outfield takes a hit here in losing Revere, who signed a one-year, $6.25 million deal this offseason as a free agent, via Spotrac.com.

Last season with the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays, Revere pieced together another solid campaign and showed that he is a threat at the top of any lineup. He recorded 181 hits with 31 stolen bases while batting .306 along with a career-high .342 on-base percentage.

With the Nationals, he was expected to be setting the table for the likes of Ryan Zimmerman and reigning National League MVP Bryce Harper in their quest to take the NL East back from the New York Mets.

But in losing the pace and contact ability of Revere, there will be fewer ducks on the pond for the big bats of Washington.

He’s proved that he can produce runs on the basepaths too, as the Blue Jays showed:

In his absence, look for the young Michael Taylor to jump at the chance for regular playing time in his second full season in the majors. Last season as a 24-year-old, Taylor hit 14 home runs with 63 RBI in 138 games.

While he does have good speed too, stealing 16 bases, he doesn’t have Revere’s speed. Pair that with a lower on-base percentage and he might not be the best option to lead off games like Revere could.

That honor might fall to third baseman Anthony Rendon.

 

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.

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