Paul DeJong always knew he’d be back playing for the Nationals again. He just couldn’t fully appreciate the process of returning from his frightening injury until he actually completed the process.
“It’s been a humbling experience for me to go back to square one and just pray to get healthy and recover from a traumatic injury,” he said. “But that process went about as good as it could have gone for me.”
It’s been 2 1/2 months since DeJong was struck by a fastball on the left side of his face during the Nationals’ April 16 game in Pittsburgh. He fractured his nose and multiple bones near his left eye, requiring surgery. He spent several weeks holed up in his apartment, watching old movies with his grandfather, who came to D.C. from Florida to help take care of him.
Then the rehab process finally began, slow and steady. DeJong, who fortunately did not suffer any vision impairment, built up to the point where he could face live pitching again. And two weeks ago, he headed off to Double-A Harrisburg for a rehab stint, his first opportunity to play competitive baseball since the injury.
Over the course of 12 games with the Senators – only four fewer than he played for the Nats before going on the 10-day IL – DeJong went 11-for-40 with a double, a homer and six RBIs. He was hit by a pitch (in the foot). And he became comfortable standing in the batter’s box again, now wearing an extended ear flap to protect the left side of his face.
“The rehab assignment went great,” he said. “I got plenty of at-bats. The biggest thing for me was to get my body back in shape. I was going from zero to 100. So I went through the ups and downs of how I was feeling out there. The daily playing every day after not playing for two months, that was the biggest shock for me. But overall, I feel like I came out of it the right way. I’m happy to be here, and I’m ready to play.”
When he signed for $1 million early in spring training, DeJong knew he would be the Nationals’ Opening Day third baseman and probably hold that job until Brady House was promoted. Now that the 2021 first-round pick has debuted and held his own in his first two weeks in the majors, DeJong is a man without a position.
The Nats had him get work at third base, shortstop and second base during his rehab assignment. And the plan is for him to see time at all three positions now that he’s back, though the presence of fellow veteran infielder Amed Rosario on the roster complicates matters.
“I’ve played every position in the infield except for first at some point in my career,” DeJong said. “For me, it was good to just touch up on the other ones other than third, because that’s where I’ve been playing most lately. I think playing those other positions gives me a little extra value. I’m willing to play whatever position I need to get on the field.”
Both DeJong and Rosario are potential trade chips heading into the July 31 deadline. It remains to be seen how much either plays, and where they play, as the Nationals try to navigate the fine line between playing long-term pieces of the puzzle and short-term veterans.
“We talked to him,” manager Davey Martinez said of DeJong. “I don’t want him to sit there for 10-12 days in a row. He’ll get an opportunity to play somewhere, maybe DH against left-handed pitchers. But we’re just telling him to just make sure he’s ready.”
