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Top Nationals News

  • Nationals' Ildemaro Vargas: Should open season in utility role

    Vargas appears set as the Nationals' primary utility infielder to begin the season.

    A big spring from prospect Trey Lipscomb created some drama toward the end of camp as to who would claim the final roster spots, but Vargas' job seems secure after Lipscomb was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday. With Luis Garcia and Nick Senzel both question marks at second base and third base, Vargas could see more playing time than expected in the early going, but he offers little fantasy upside after slashing .252/.304/.363 over 286 plate appearances for the Nats in 2023.

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  • Nationals' Nasim Nunez: Wins Opening Day roster spot

    Nunez is expected to begin the season on the 26-man roster after Trey Lipscomb was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday.

    A Rule 5 pick from the Marlins, Nunez was a favorite to win a bench role when camp began, but Lipscomb's big spring created some uncertainty on how the Nationals would configure their infield. The 23-year-old Nunez stole 52 bases in 59 attempts at Double-A last season but slashed only .224/.341/.286, so he'll likely be limited to pinch-running duties in 2024 if he's able to stick on the big-league roster all year rather than being offered back to Miami.

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  • Nationals' Nick Senzel: Wraps up tepid spring

    Senzel batted .231 (9-for-39) over 15 Grapefruit League games with a 4:13 BB:K and only two extra-base hits, both doubles.

    The former Red signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Nationals in December, and Senzel's new team is hoping it has the same success reviving his career that it did with Jeimer Candelario in 2023. Senzel showed little this spring to indicate he's headed for a breakout season though, and while he'll be the Nats' Opening Day starter at third base, he may need to hit the ground running to keep the job with Trey Lipscomb making a big impression in camp and Brady House potentially ready to push for a spot in the majors as well.

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  • Nationals' Jarlin Susana: Dazzles versus big-leaguers Tuesday

    Susana struck out two in a perfect eighth inning during Tuesday's exhibition game between the Nationals and the organization's top prospects.

    Just a few days after his 20th birthday, Susana nearly produced an immaculate inning against big-league hitters, but after Joey Gallo and Riley Adams struck out on six pitches, Jacob Young was able to weakly ground out. Per Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports, Susana topped out at 102.4 mph with his fastball and sat around 101 mph while also working in his potentially plus slider. Part of the package the Nats received for Juan Soto from the Padres, Susana made 16 starts at Single-A Fredericksburg last season and posted a disappointing 5.55 ERA and 56:38 K:BB over 58.1 innings. Washington isn't going to give up on him working out as a starting pitcher quite yet, but if he were to shift to a relief role, the young flamethrower could climb the ladder very quickly.

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  • Nationals' Luis Garcia: Set to retain roster spot

    Garcia is likely to begin the season as Washington's primary second baseman after Trey Lipscomb was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday.

    Garcia entered camp as the presumed starter at the keystone, but he struggled in Grapefruit League play with four errors and a .245 average. Lipscomb, meanwhile, came out of nowhere and made a strong push for a roster spot with a .995 OPS during spring training. Garcia will likely need to improve upon his .266/.304/.385 slash line from last season in order to retain the starting job throughout 2024.

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  • Nationals' Cade Cavalli: Placed on 60-day IL

    The Nationals placed Cavalli (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

    The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Derek Law. Cavalli hopes to return in June from Tommy John surgery.

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  • Nationals' Trey Lipscomb: Misses out on Opening Day roster

    The Nationals reassigned Lipscomb to minor-league camp Tuesday.

    The 23-year-old made a strong push for a roster spot during spring training with a .995 OPS in 55 plate appearances, but he'll still end up beginning the campaign in the minors. Luis Garcia retains a tenuous grip on the starting job at second base, but Lipscomb's strong spring puts him in prime position for an early-season promotion should Garcia have a poor start to the campaign.

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  • Nationals' Derek Law: Added to roster

    The Nationals selected Law's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

    Law made the team as a non-roster invitee after tossing 9.1 scoreless innings this spring. The 33-year-old reliever should operate in a middle-relief role for the Nats.

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  • Nationals' James Wood: Starting season at Triple-A

    Wood will begin the season with Triple-A Rochester, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.

    The 21-year-old opened eyes this spring by batting .364 (16-for-44) with four homers, three steals and an 11:13 BB:K, and rather than return him to Double-A Harrisburg where he ended the 2023 campaign, the Nats will keep him one step away from the majors. If the improved approach at the plate Wood displayed this spring holds up in the regular season, it may not be long before he makes his big-league debut.

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  • Nationals' Dylan Crews: Will begin season at Double-A

    Crews will open the season with Double-A Harrisburg, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.

    The 2023 first-round pick was informed of the assignment ahead of Tuesday's showcase game pitting the Nationals' regulars against the organization's top prospects. Crews finished last season with Harrisburg but slashed only .194/.306/.264 through 20 games, so a return engagement makes sense. The 22-year-old also struggled a bit this spring, batting .156 (5-for-32) with a 4:12 BB:K, but three of his hits, including a homer he hit off Jesus Luzardo, went for extra bases. If Crews catches fire at Double-A, a promotion to Triple-A could follow in short order, and a big-league debut later in the 2024 season isn't out of the question.

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  • Nationals' Daylen Lile: Available for exhibition

    Lile (back) is listed among the Nationals prospects on the "Futures Roster" for Tuesday's exhibition against current Washington players, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

    Lile had been attending big-league spring training with the Nationals but didn't appear in any Grapefruit League games since March 2, when he was carted off the field after a collision with the outfield wall. He was fortunate to avoid a serious injury and was diagnosed with a lower-back contusion. Lile was cleared to resume full baseball activities more than a week ago, so assuming he's able to play Tuesday without issue, he should be ready to go for the start of the minor-league season. Lile is likely to open the 2024 season with High-A Wilmington.

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  • Nationals' Robert Hassell: Set to play in exhibition

    Hassell (groin) is listed among the Nationals prospects on the "Futures Roster" for Tuesday's exhibition against current Washington players, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

    Hassell had been attending big-league spring training with the Nationals but didn't appear in any Grapefruit League games since March 8 due to a groin strain. His inclusion on the roster for the upcoming exhibition implies that he'll be ready to go for the start of the minor-league season. Hassell will most likely head back to Double-A Harrisburg after he posted a .640 OPS in 476 plate appearances with the affiliate in 2023.

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  • Nationals' Robert Garcia: Only lefty in Opening Day bullpen

    Garcia has made the Nationals' 26-man roster to begin the season, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

    The 27-year-old will be the only left-hander in the team's initial bullpen, potentially putting him in line for regular high-leverage work. Garcia posted solid numbers in 2023 over 25 big-league appearances split between the Marlins and Nats, collecting two wins and four holds with a 3.66 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 33:12 K:BB.

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  • Nationals' Riley Adams: Set as No. 2 catcher

    Adams will begin the season as the Nationals' backup catcher behind Keibert Ruiz.

    Adams was surprisingly productive at the plate in 2023, slashing .273/.331/.476 with four homers in 158 plate appearances, and he showed no signs of regression in camp. Ruiz will see a heavy workload, but Adams has earned the trust of the pitching staff and could see more consistent action in 2024, giving him some fantasy appeal as a cheap endgame catcher in deep formats.

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  • Nationals' Jordan Weems: Solid numbers this spring

    Weems has posted a 10:3 K:BB without allowing a home run over 9.2 Grapefruit League innings this spring.

    The 31-year-old converted catcher established himself as a reliable bullpen option with the Nationals in 2023, recording five wins and seven holds over 51 appearances with a 3.62 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 60:28 K:BB. Weems is on the fringes of high-leverage usage but will begin the season behind Kyle Finnegan, Hunter Harvey and Tanner Rainey in the pecking order from the right side, making him unlikely to see any save chances.

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  • Nationals' Trey Lipscomb: Wraps up impressive spring

    Lipscomb finished the spring batting .400 (20-for-50) through 21 Grapefruit League games with one home run, one stolen base and a 5:7 BB:K.

    The 23-year-old hasn't played above Double-A yet after being a third-round pick in 2022, but Lipscomb was one of the most impressive prospects the Nationals had in camp, looking big-league ready as a defender at multiple infield positions while raking at the plate. The organization wants him to play every day and he isn't yet on the 40-man roster, which would seem to have him ticketed for Triple-A to begin the season, but presumed starting second baseman Luis Garcia has struggled this spring -- in the Grapefruit League finale against the Mets on Sunday, he committed his fourth error in 17 games. As a result, Washington is giving serious consideration to having Lipscomb be the double-play partner for CJ Abrams on Opening Day.

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  • Nationals' Luis Garcia: Roster spot in jeopardy

    Garcia committed his fourth error of the spring Sunday, and he could lose his starting job at second base and potentially even his roster spot to Trey Lipscomb, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

    Garcia hasn't had an impressive spring at the plate, batting .245 (12-for-49) with a 2:7 BB:K, but his defensive issues are the bigger issue as the Nationals finalize their Opening Day roster. Lipscomb's made a strong push for a spot, flashing a strong glove at multiple infield positions while batting a blistering .400 (20-for-50) with a 5:7 BB:K, but the organization wants him to play every day. If the Nats decide Lipscomb is ready, Garcia seems to be the most vulnerable starter on the infield, and he's out of minor-league options. The team could also elect to return Rule 5 pick Nasim Nunez to the Marlins to create a spot on the 26-man roster for Lipscomb, but Garcia doesn't have the defensive versatility to be a useful bench piece. Even if the 23-year-old keeps his starting job at the keystone to begin the season, Garcia figures to be on a very short leash.

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  • Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Shifts to 60-day IL

    The Nationals placed Ferrer (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Sunday.

    The 24-year-old has been shut down from throwing since March 15 due to a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder, and he'll be sidelined for at least the first two months of the season. Ferrer is nearly halfway through his initial three-week shutdown, so he could resume throwing in early April if his shoulder checks out fine.

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  • Nationals' Mason Thompson: Moves to 60-day IL

    The Nationals placed Thompson (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Sunday.

    The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in early March, so his move to the 60-day IL was an eventuality. Thompson will miss the entire 2024 campaign and is also likely to be out for the first couple months of 2025.

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Injuries

Player Injury
C. Cavalli SP Cade Cavalli SP Elbow
S. Garrett LF Stone Garrett LF Lower Leg
M. Thompson RP Mason Thompson RP Elbow
J. Ferrer RP Jose Ferrer RP Shoulder
S. Strasburg SP Stephen Strasburg SP Shoulder

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