Adam Eaton eyes 6-9 months of rehab following ACL surgery

WASHINGTON -- Washington Nationals center fielder Adam Eaton began a rehabilitation program on Wednesday that should last about six to nine months, general manager Mike Rizzo said before the team faced the Baltimore Orioles.

Eaton underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a torn left anterior cruciate ligament that he sustained on April 28 when he beat out an infield hit in the ninth inning against the New York Mets.

"It went well. He is currently here at the ballpark," Rizzo said. "He began his rehab today with massage work."

Eaton was acquired in a trade in December from the Chicago White Sox for three young pitchers. Two of them, right-handers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez, made their big league debut last year with Washington and are now two top prospects for the White Sox.

Eaton was batting leadoff for a team that has led the National League in most offensive categories. He is likely to miss the rest of the season.

"Every rehab is different. It should be a pretty ordinary rehab," Rizzo said. "In four weeks he will ramp it up. We started range of motion today."

Eaton was hitting .297 in 91 at-bats over 23 games when he was hurt. He has two homers and 13 RBIs.