5 Washington Nationals Who Need To Stay Healthy In 2016

By Bryan Zarpentine

Injuries played an important role in the Washington Nationals failing to live up to expectations in 2015, as the team many pegged as eventual world champions failed to make the postseason. If the Nationals expect to take the NL East title away from the New York Mets, they must avoid being bitten by the injury bug. Here are five players Washington needs to stay healthy in 2016.

5 Washington Nationals Who Need To Stay Healthy In 2016
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5. Daniel Murphy

Daniel Murphy Credit: Noah K. Murray - USATODAY Sports
The Nats are counting on Murphy to give the team's offense a significant boost and provide a viable left-handed bat outside of Bryce Harper, so they can't afford to see him go down with an injury. Washington isn't enthralled with their depth up the middle, so Murphy will have to play every day. He's also capable of moving to first or third base if there are injuries at those positions, making Murphy an important piece in Washington's puzzle for 2016.

5. Daniel Murphy

The Nats are counting on Murphy to give the team's offense a significant boost and provide a viable left-handed bat outside of Bryce Harper, so they can't afford to see him go down with an injury. Washington isn't enthralled with their depth up the middle, so Murphy will have to play every day. He's also capable of moving to first or third base if there are injuries at those positions, making Murphy an important piece in Washington's puzzle for 2016.

4. Jayson Werth

Jayson Werth Credit: Jake Roth - USATODAY Sports
Werth had a season to forget in 2015, in part because he dealt with injuries and could never get on track. Even if he's not the same player he was in the past, the Nats need to get something out of the aging Werth in 2016. If nothing else, they need the player they're paying $21 million each of the next two seasons to at least stay on the field.

4. Jayson Werth

Werth had a season to forget in 2015, in part because he dealt with injuries and could never get on track. Even if he's not the same player he was in the past, the Nats need to get something out of the aging Werth in 2016. If nothing else, they need the player they're paying $21 million each of the next two seasons to at least stay on the field.

3. Stephen Strasburg

Stephen Strasburg Credit: Brad Mills - USATODAY Sports
If the Nats expect to match the rotation the New York Mets have, they need Strasburg to stay healthy and pitch like a top-of-the-rotation caliber starter. Injuries limited Strasburg to just 23 starts last season, but Washington needs to get at least 30 starts from him in 2016. The Nats don't have the same kind of rotation depth as the Mets.

3. Stephen Strasburg

If the Nats expect to match the rotation the New York Mets have, they need Strasburg to stay healthy and pitch like a top-of-the-rotation caliber starter. Injuries limited Strasburg to just 23 starts last season, but Washington needs to get at least 30 starts from him in 2016. The Nats don't have the same kind of rotation depth as the Mets.

2. Jonathan Papelbon

Jonathan Papelbon Credit: Getty Images
Papelbon didn't exactly have a great debut in Washington after being traded to the Nats last season, but the team is going to need him in 2016. The likes of Drew Storen and Craig Stammen have left Washington, so there's no doubt that Papelbon is going to be the closer. He's been healthy throughout his career, but if the 35-year-old heads to the DL, the back end of Washington's bullpen could be in trouble.

2. Jonathan Papelbon

Papelbon didn't exactly have a great debut in Washington after being traded to the Nats last season, but the team is going to need him in 2016. The likes of Drew Storen and Craig Stammen have left Washington, so there's no doubt that Papelbon is going to be the closer. He's been healthy throughout his career, but if the 35-year-old heads to the DL, the back end of Washington's bullpen could be in trouble.

1. Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper Credit: Brad Mills - USATODAY Sports
This should be obvious, but the Nats can't afford to have the league MVP miss time due to injury. Outside of Harper, Washington's roster isn't getting any younger and many of their key players are clearly in decline, which is going to put a lot on Harper's shoulders. If Harper spends any time on the shelf with an injury, it'll be difficult for the Nats to compete for a division title and return to the postseason.

1. Bryce Harper

This should be obvious, but the Nats can't afford to have the league MVP miss time due to injury. Outside of Harper, Washington's roster isn't getting any younger and many of their key players are clearly in decline, which is going to put a lot on Harper's shoulders. If Harper spends any time on the shelf with an injury, it'll be difficult for the Nats to compete for a division title and return to the postseason.

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