DeJong isn’t expected to resume baseball activities until sometime in late May after undergoing surgery earlier this week to repair damage to his nose and eyes. The 31-year-old veteran infielder should make it back to Washington’s lineup at some point in June or July, barring any setbacks.

DeJong needed to wait for the swelling to subside before surgeons could address the damage from being hit in the face by a pitch back on April 15. The 31-year-old is out indefinitely for now, but there’s a strong possibility he’s able to return later this year.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez told reporters DeJong will return to Washington D.C. and added that the swelling has gone down after the veteran infielder was struck in the face by a pitch during Tuesday’s game against the Pirates. He’s already been placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured nose, but the club is hopeful that it’s the only injury-related issue he’s dealing with at the moment.

DeJong was hit in the face by a pitch on Tuesday night and will now be shut down for a while. Amed Rosario took his place in the lineup on Tuesday and started at third base on Saturday and Sunday, so he could get the first look to replace DeJong. However, the team recalled Trey Lipscomb on Wednesday, so it remains to be seen what direction they go in.