Nationals place Denard Span on 15-day DL with left hip inflammation

Washington Nationals outfielder Denard Span was placed on the 15-day disabled list with left hip inflammation Thursday, and may miss the remainder of the regular season.

Span was activated from the DL on Tuesday after spending more than a month out of action with a nagging back injury. He sat out Thursday's contest with back soreness, and was replaced in center field by Michael Taylor, who was later injured after running into the center field wall. Washington also had to pull third baseman Yunel Escobar from the contest after he was hit in the hand by a pitch.

Manager Matt Williams was asked why Span wasn't used as a defensive replacement following the Nationals 4-2 win.

"The reasoning is that Denard had a setback," Williams said. "It didn't react well at all after the two days. So we'll have to put him back on the disabled list."

The skipper was then asked whether the 31-year-old would return this season.

"Well, again, it's 15 days," he said, "so we have to make sure that we're mindful of him and his back and his hips and so it's unclear right now. I would imagine it's going to be very tough for him to get back."

Span was hitting .301/.365/.431 with five home runs, 22 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases prior to going on the DL.

A corresponding move will be made Friday.