Paul DeJong taking batting practice as he recovers from getting hit in the face by a pitch

FILE - Washington Nationals' Paul DeJong center is helped off the field after getting hit by a pitch by Pittsburgh Pirates' Mitch Keller during the sixth inning of a baseball challenge Tuesday April in Pittsburgh AP Photo Matt Freed File AP Matt Freed FILE - Washington Nationals' Paul DeJong center is helped off the field after getting hit by a pitch by Pittsburgh Pirates' Mitch Keller during the sixth inning of a baseball encounter Tuesday April in Pittsburgh AP Photo Matt Freed File AP Matt Freed NEW YORK AP Washington Nationals infielder Paul DeJong sidelined since his nose was broken by a pitch in mid-April is taking batting practice and could soon start a minor league rehab assignment DeJong took BP on Wednesday with a face protector flap and hit against right-hander Derek Law in a simulated contest and will do so again in a scant days Nationals manager Dave Martinez reported If everything goes well he s pretty close Martinez mentioned He s itching to go back and play I know he s got to go back to see the medical expert one more time and then after that hopefully we can get him out DeJong was hit by a mph pitch from Pittsburgh s Mitch Keller on April fracturing his nose orbital and orbital floor The -year-old had surgery six days later Law has been sidelined since spring training with right forearm inflammation The -year-old right-hander threw pitches reaching mph and mixed in sliders and changeups AP MLB https apnews com hub mlb Source