Nationals' First Baseman Michael Morse Out for Six Weeks - East Idaho News
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Nationals’ First Baseman Michael Morse Out for Six Weeks

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Getty S 41212 Morse?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1334255465358Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — With the Washington Nationals trying to establish themselves as one of the better up-and-coming teams in the National League, they’ll have to do it without their regular clean up hitter for the foreseeable future. After an injury setback, first baseman Michael Morse will be in “total shutdown mode” for the next six weeks.

Morse was on the verge of coming off the disabled list this week after recovering from a lat tear, but he experienced pain during a minor league game and re-aggravated the injury. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said that they will shut down Morse for the next six weeks, but surgery is not required.

This will be a big loss to the team offensively. In 2011, Morse had a breakout season in which he batted .303 with 31 home runs as well as 95 runs batted in. Morse set career highs in all three of those categories.

To make up for the loss of the Morse, the team is expected to use a platoon-type situation at first base with Mark DeRosa, Xavier Nady and Roger Bernadina.

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