With two out in the first inning of the Washington Nationals’ game versus the Atlanta Braves, rightfielder Michael Morse stepped up to the plate against Tommy Hanson and lived up to his nickname The Beast.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Morse crushed a three-run home run, sending the ball 465 feet to left center for the longest four-bagger in the brief history of Nationals Park.

MLB.com has the video:

Morse hit 31 home runs last season but missed the first two months of 2012 with a strained lat. His Friday blast was only his fifth homer of the season.

Washington Nationals outfielder Michael Morse could return from the disabled list earlier than planned, according to the Washington Post.

Morse has yet to play this season due to an abdominal strain. The injury was initially supposed to set him back just one or two weeks, but the slugger re-aggravated the injury during a minor league rehab assignment.

The Nationals front office shut Morse down to keep the strain from turning into a tear. They had hoped to bring him back to the team by mid-June, however recent reports indicate he could be back in Washington’s lineup by June 1.

Morse, 30, had a breakout year last season for the Nationals. In 146 games he hit .303/.360/.550 with 31 home runs and 95 RBI. It was the first time in his career that he had played 100-or-more MLB games.

Washington Nationals slugger Michael Morse is not expected to be ready for Thursday’s home opener, according to the Associated Press.

Morse, on the 15-day disabled list with a back injury, attempted to make a minor league rehab start today, but Nats manager Davey Johnson said he had to come out and undergo futher tests.

“He has no problem swinging, but unfortunately we don’t have a DH,” Johnson said. “I was kind of looking forward to penciling him in the lineup on Thursday.”

Morse is coming off a career year — he hit .303 for the Nats last season with 31 homers and 95 RBIs.

The Nats are also concerned about closer Drew Storen, who recently had a setback in his rehab from right elbow injury and has been sent to visit Dr. James Andrews.