Washington Nationals First Baseman, Adam LaRoche, to Rehab with Potomac Nationals Thursday Night
Woodbridge, VA-The Washington Nationals have confirmed 1B Adam LaRoche is scheduled to make a rehabilitation start with the Potomac Nationals this evening at Pfitzner Stadium as the P-Nats host the Lynchburg Hillcats (Atlanta Braves) for a 7:05pm series finale.
LaRoche, 34, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 20th with a strained right quadriceps muscle and will make a rehab game appearance with the Potomac Nationals for the first time in his 11-season Major League career.
LaRoche was originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 29th round of the 2000 MLB Draft out of Seminole State College (OK) and was acquired by Washington as a free agent on January 7th, 2011.
The southpaw swinger returns to the Carolina League for the first time since his 2002 season with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in which LaRoche secured a .336 batting average, 17 doubles, nine home runs, and 53 runs batted in.
The six-foot, three-inch, 205-pounder born in Orange County, CA entered the 2014 campaign with a career .264 Big League batting average along with 217 lifetime homers and 746 RBIs.
Thus far in 2014 for the Washington Nationals, LaRoche has swung to a .319 batting clip and a .421 on-base percentage in 32 games while scoring 18 runs and stashing six doubles, five deep flies, 21 RBIs, and 20 walks.
LaRoche has competed for Atlanta (2004-2006, 2009), the Pittsburgh Pirates (2007-2009), Boston Red Sox (2009), Arizona Diamondbacks (2010), and the Nationals (2011-present).
The veteran first base anchor earned a Rawlings® Gold Glove Award for his defensive prowess on the right corner during the 2012 season, a year in which LaRoche also belted a career-high 33 four-baggers and tied his career-best total of exactly 100 RBIs.
LaRoche received a 2012 National League Silver Slugger Award, an honor bestowed upon the NL first baseman with the most prolific offensive pop.
LaRoche is one of just three current MLB players who have cranked 25-plus home runs in a single season for a quartet of different teams (2006 Braves, 2008 Pirates, 2010 D-Backs, 2012 Nationals).
The length of LaRoche's rehabilitation start with the Potomac Nationals tonight is to be determined.
The Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League play at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Potomac Nationals have claimed four Carolina League Championship titles (1982, 1989, 2008, and 2010) and eight division championships. Most recently, the P-Nats earned a 2013 Carolina League Northern Division pennant. P-Nats 2014 season tickets and mini plans are on sale. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2014 season and beyond are available. Plan your corporate outing now for the 2014 season to see the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz as the P-Nats offer discounted group rates and all-inclusive picnic options. Visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com or call the Potomac Nationals Ticket Office at 703-590-2311 for more information!
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