Justin Maxwell expects to be sidelined for four to six months after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his left elbow earlier this month.

Maxwell injured the elbow while making a diving catch during the final weekend of the season. He has already begun physical therapy and believes he can be back to 100 percent by February. Maxwell is out of options, so the Nationals could have him start the season on the disabled list while they try to decide what to do with him.

Justin Maxwell (thumb) is back in the Nationals' lineup Tuesday.

As expected. Maxwell sat out the last couple of games with a thumb injury that he suffered during Saturday's contest with the Phillies.

Justin Maxwell (thumb) appeared as a pinch-hitter Monday.

The outfielder is expected to return to the starting lineup Tuesday night. He has been battling a sore right thumb since Saturday afternoon.

Justin Maxwell returned to action on Monday September 20.

Justin Maxwell (thumb) is out of the Nationals' lineup Monday.

Maxwell injured his thumb during Saturday's game against the Phillies and is still battling soreness. He should be ready in a few days.

Justin Maxwell isn't playing Sunday because of a sore right thumb.

The outfielder injured the thumb in his second at-bat Saturday and had to be removed from the game. "I couldn't even hold the bat," Maxwell said. It comes at an unfortunate time, as Maxwell was in line for a lot of playing time. He did say that he expects to return to the lineup either Monday or Tuesday.

The Nationals want Justin Maxwell to take advantage of the playing time he'll receive while Nyjer Morgan is suspended.

"I really want Maxwell to take off with some of these opportunities and use it as a period to show us, 'I'm the real deal.'" Nats manager Jim Riggleman said. Riggleman went on to compare Maxwell to the Marlins' Mike Stanton. While the two are similar physically, Maxwell is six years older and simply isn't in the same stratosphere potential-wise. He will turn 27 over the offseason and has a career line of .206/.316/.392 over 194 major league at-bats, so he could be at somewhat of a career crossroads.

Justin Maxwell hit a grand slam in the second inning Wednesday to give the Nationals all of the runs they'd need in a 4-2 win over the Braves.

Maxwell, who entered with a .132 average in 76 at-bats, was making his first start in 11 days. He figures to see more action down the stretch once Nyjer Morgan finally starts serving his suspensions, so he could have a little value in NL-only leagues. The Nationals need to give him a look in order to decide whether he should have any role in their 2011 plans.

Nationals recalled OF Justin Maxwell from Triple-A Syracuse.

The 27-year-old Maxwell has managed just four hits in 38 major league at-bats this season and will work in a backup role. He's not a fantasy guy.

The Nationals will recall OF Justin Maxwell on Monday and option LHP Atahualpha Severino to Triple-A Syracuse, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson.

Maxwell has been riding the D.C. to Syracuse shuttle all year. The 27-year-old outfielder is batting just .109 (4-for-38) with the big club this season but has intriguing fantasy skills for NL-only owners if he can ever put his power/speed combo together.

Nationals recalled OF Justin Maxwell from Triple-A Syracuse.

He's expected to join the team on Saturday. Maxwell has hit well in the minors this year, but has a .121/.362/.242 batting line in 33 at-bats with the Nats this season. He probably won't stick with the team for long.

Nationals optioned OF Justin Maxwell to Triple-A Syracuse.

Six days after his recall, Maxwell is back down to Triple-A. The Nationals needed an extra arm in their rotation and Maxwell was the extra man on the roster. He was 0-for-7 this time around, dropping his overall line in the majors to .121/.362/.242.

Nationals recalled OF Justin Maxwell from Triple-A Syracuse

It's been an up and down year for Maxwell, who has accumulated a substantial amount of frequent flier miles between Syracuse and Washington D.C. He's hitting .267/.405/.367 in 16 games for Syracuse and .154/.395/.308 in 17 games for the Nationals. He'll replace Scott Olsen, who went on the disabled list Saturday.

Nationals optioned OF Justin Maxwell to Triple-A Syracuse.

Maxwell was sent down with Matt Chico's promotion in mind for Saturday. The young outfielder had just three at-bats this month, so he might as well get regular playing time in the minor leagues.

Justin Maxwell will start in right field against Jorge De La Rosa and the Rockies on Tuesday night.

Consistent with Jim Riggleman's approach over the weekend, Maxwell will continue to draw starts against left-handed pitching. Maxwell is 1-for-7 (.143) with a three-run homer and a 4/4 K/BB ratio so far.

Justin Maxwell was 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and three RBI in a win over the Brewers on Saturday afternoon.

In addition to his two-run shot in the second inning, Maxwell added a sacrifice fly in the sixth. He's not very polished as a hitter quite yet, so he's mainly getting looks against lefties, but he has the skills and athleticism to be the starting right fielder before the season is through.

Nationals recalled OF Justin Maxwell from Triple-A Syracuse.

Maxwell will start in right field against the southpaw J.A. Happ on Thursday. The 26-year-old outfielder batted .247/.343/.449 with four homers, nine RBI, six stolen bases and 32 strikeouts in 89 at-bats with the Nationals last season. He should get quite a few looks against left-handers over the next few days.

The Nationals are expected to call up outfielder Justin Maxwell from Triple-A Syracuse before Thursday's game against the Phillies.

Maxwell struggled during spring training, but is batting 5-15 (.333), with two RBI, two stolen bases and five runs scored in five games with the Chiefs. The 26-year-old has plenty of holes in his swing, but his power-speed combo in the minors warrants watching in NL-only leagues. With any luck, he could earn some significant playing time in right field.