As Young nears return, Nats have decision to make

Jacob Young plays his third rehab game with Double-A Harrisburg tonight, after which the Nationals will decide if he needs more time there or will be activated off the injured list, creating a whole new dilemma in their outfield.

Young has been out since crashing into the wall trying to make a catch at Camden Yards on May 17, suffering an AC sprain in his left shoulder on the play. He was deemed ready for a rehab assignment this week and began playing for Harrisburg on Tuesday. Through his first two games with the Senators, he’s 2-for-7 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored. He’s back in the lineup tonight, leading off and starting in center field.

“He feels better. He’s doing well,” manager Davey Martinez said. “But we want to make sure he’s completely ready to go. He’s going to get another round of at-bats today and see where he’s at.”

Though he said the No. 1 factor before activating Young is proving he’s healthy again, Martinez did acknowledge the 25-year-old is simultaneously working on his swing in an attempt to get back on track after a rough start to his season.

“I’m not going to put a timetable on it,” the manager said when asked how many more games Young needs. “We’ll just let him get ready. He’s working on some stuff as well. I’d like to see him continue to work on his swing, really get ready, so when he comes back up here he’s ready to go.”

Young was batting just .227 with a .309 on-base percentage and .282 slugging percentage when he got hurt, with only five extra base hits and six RBIs in 41 games. His defense in center field remains Gold Glove-caliber, but the Nationals acknowledge they need more offense out of the No. 9 hitter.

With Robert Hassell III and Daylen Lile impressing in their first big league stint while both Young and Dylan Crews are on the IL, the organization is going to need to make some decisions about playing time soon enough.

Should Young be of the mindset than he’s playing for his job when he comes back, whenever that occurs?

“I played in this league for a very long time, and you’re always vying for your job,” Martinez said. “One, you’re playing to help your team win. But you’re also playing to go out there and compete. We’ve got some really unbelievable, young talented outfielders, he being one of them. I want him to come back and play the way he’s capable of playing, the way he played last year. When he does that, we’re going to win a lot of games with Jacob Young.

“But these other kids are playing really well. I want him to make my decision really tough every day to make a lineup.”