Nationals' Span has core muscle surgery, season opener in doubt

Nationals centerfielder Denard Span has core muscle surgery, doubtful for season opener

Washington Nationals centerfielder Denard Span underwent surgery to repair a right core muscle injury, the team announced Monday.

Nationals manager Matt Williams said on Monday that Span would likely sit out for four to six weeks before resuming activities, though he acknowledged an exact timeline is still unknown. 

Span said he is doubtful that he will start the regular season on time, according to MLB.com. Washington opens the season April 6 against the New York Mets.

Span underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia in December. He has taken only two at-bats during this spring.

Span's injury is just the latest setback for the Nationals' outfield, as Jayson Werth and Nate McLouth are both out while they recover from off-season shoulder surgery.

Span, 31, has spent the last two seasons with the Nationals. In 2014, he led the team with a .302 batting average and added five home runs and 37 RBIs, setting career highs in hits and stolen bases. His 184 hits were second in the National League and also set a Washington franchise record.

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Span spent his first five seasons with the Minnesota Twins before being traded in November 2012 and is set to be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.

Everything went well with the surgery. #godisgood

— Denard Span (@thisisdspan) March 9, 2015

- Scooby Axson