Washington Nationals News

Clay Helvey • RP • Nationals

Clay Helvey Agrees With Nationals

Free-agent reliever Clay Helvey agreed to a minor-league deal with the Washington Nationals over the weekend that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Helvey spent the last seven seasons in the San Francisco Giants' minor-league system, where he struck out 102 hitters in 74 1/3 relief innings with Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento in 2024. However, the 27-year-old former 22nd-round pick by the San Francisco Giants in 2018 out of the University of Tampa also had a 5.17 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 97 K's and 35 walks in 71 1/3 innings at Sacramento in his 41 relief appearances. Helvey isn't anywhere near the fantasy radar and has a career minor-league ERA just south of 5.00. But the Nationals will take a chance on him as a high-strikeout relief arm. Expect Helvey to compete for a spot in Washington's bullpen in spring training.

5 days ago

Ildemaro Vargas • 2B • Nationals

Ildemaro Vargas Clears Waivers, Testing Free Agency

Washington Nationals infielder Ildemaro Vargas has cleared waivers and has elected to test free agency, according to Bobby Blanco. Vargas posted a .246/.295/.316 slash line with one home run and nine stolen bases across 97 games with the Nationals. He was deployed as a utility option in Washington last season and logged double-digit starts at second base, third base, and the outfield. He held a stellar 10.2% strikeout rate but struggled to generate hard contact as he carried a poor 31.9% hard-hit rate and a 1.2% barrel rate. Fantasy managers should expect Vargas to have a similar role in the 2025 campaign if he finds a suitor, but he should not be on your fantasy radar given his lack of hitting production.

7 days ago

Joey Meneses • 1B • Nationals

Joey Meneses To Test Free Agency

According to Washington Nationals insider Bobby Blanco, first baseman/designated hitter Joey Meneses has elected to test free agency. Meneses had the worst season of his three-year MLB career last summer as he posted a poor .231/.291/.302 line with three home runs and two stolen bases. This was a stark contrast to the .275/.321/.401 line he held during the 2023 campaign. The 32-year-old also spent some of last season with Triple-A Rochester and carried a modest .254/.322/.471 line with 14 doubles and nine home runs. Meneses will likely find a new home but is best to leave off your fantasy radar in 2025 given his struggles last season.

7 days ago

James Wood • CF • Nationals

James Wood Homers In Win On Saturday

Washington Nationals rookie outfielder James Wood went 2-for-4 with a triple and a home run in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Phillies, collecting two RBI and two runs scored in the process. The hits extended the left-handed hitter's current hit streak to six games. The 22-year-old has shown he belongs in the big leagues since being called up at the beginning of July, slashing .269/.360/.434 with nine home runs and 14 stolen bases in 78 games (331 PA) to start his career. Expect the former second-round draft pick to start 2025 with the Nats and he'll likely have a costly ADP with the strong blend of power and speed.

Sep 29

Andrés Chaparro • 3B • Nationals

Andres Chaparro Placed On Paternity List

The Washington Nationals placed rookie infielder Andres Chaparro on the paternity list on Tuesday and recalled outfielder Stone Garrett from Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move. Chaparro will almost certainly be away from the team for the entire three-game series against the Kansas City Royals this week before returning to the club for the final series of the season this weekend against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. The 25-year-old has hit just .215 (26-for-121) with four home runs, 12 doubles, 15 RBI, one steal, seven walks and 24 strikeouts in 132 trips to the plate in his first 33 major-league games for the Nats in 2024. Juan Yepez is making the start at first in D.C. on Tuesday against Royals left-hander Cole Ragans and could play regularly this series with Chaparro away from the team to welcome a child into his family.

Sep 24

Jacob Young • CF • Nationals

Jacob Young Returns To Lineup On Sunday

Washington Nationals outfielder Jacob Young (shoulder) is returning to the starting nine on Sunday afternoon when the Nationals hope to clinch a series victory over the Chicago Cubs. The outfielder was sidelined on Friday and Saturday after leaving Thursday's game early due to shoulder soreness. He will return to center field on Sunday and bat in the eight-hole. Through September, the 25-year-old is carrying a .213/.288/.234 line with just one extra-base hit. One the season, he sits with a .254 AVG and 32 stolen bases. Young should be left out of DFS lineups this afternoon as he will face Chicago southpaw Shota Imanaga who enters Sunday with a solid 3.03 ERA.

Sep 22

Joey Gallo • 1B • Nationals

Joey Gallo Smashes Three-Run Homer In Multi-Hit Performance

Washington Nationals first baseman and outfielder Joey Gallo smashed a three-run home run and went 2-3 with a walk in Washington's 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Gallo's homer was his ninth and he improved his OPS to .622 on the season. It was a positive game in a down season for the lefty, whose .622 OPS would be a career low outside of a 17-game season in 2016. Much of Gallo's 2024 has been marred with injuries, holding him back and limiting his playing time. Even with the missed playing time, this would be his third straight season with an xwOBA below .300, something fantasy managers simply aren't used to seeing. As an unrestricted free agent for the 2025 season, it may not be surprising to see Gallo sign with another team as the Nationals turn their heads to younger guys like Juan Yepez and Andres Chaparro at first base. A change of scenery may not be the worst thing for the 30-year-old as he works to get back to his old ways. He'll look to stay hot for the season's finish when the Nationals face their next righty on Wednesday against Alec Marsh and the Kansas City Royals.

Sep 21

MacKenzie Gore • SP • Nationals

MacKenzie Gore Strikes Out Nine, Picks Up Tenth Win Of Season

Washington Nationals starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore was solid on Saturday afternoon as he struck out nine Cubs in the Nationals' 5-1 win over Chicago. Gore went seven deep and allowed just one hit as he improved his record to 10-12 on the season. The young lefty now has five straight starts in a row allowing two earned runs or fewer. Gore has been a solid arm for the Nationals as Washington works to continue their rebuild in the NL East. His 160.1 innings pitched mark a career high for him. He's also posted a career best mark with a 3.62 FIP, suggesting that his 4.04 ERA could be even better going forward. Fantasy managers that need starting pitching help in the last week of the season may want to ensure Gore's in their lineups. Dynasty managers need to ensure Gore stays on their roster as the dynamic lefty will have plenty of value going forward. His final start of the 2024 season will come on Saturday when the Nationals host the Philadelphia Phillies.

Sep 21

CJ Abrams • SS • Nationals

CJ Abrams Demoted To Triple-A Due To Off-Field Actions

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams was demoted to Triple-A Rochester earlier on Saturday due to off-field actions. Jim Bowden of CBS Sports reported that Abrams was seen at Bally Casino past 8 am before a 1 pm game, according to multiple eyewitnesses. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring this situation over the season's final week and during the offseason, as the team did not approve of his behavior. Since the start of September, the infielder has held a .271/.308/.458 line with two home runs and four stolen bases. Overall, in his second full season in the big leagues, the 23-year-old has emerged as both a power and speed threat as he hit 20 long balls and swiped 31 bags while holding a .246 AVG. The former first-round pick will likely be one of the first shortstops taken in drafts next season due to his ability to contribute to all five standard categories.

Sep 21

Jacob Young • CF • Nationals

Jacob Young Still Out On Saturday

Washington Nationals outfielder Jacob Young (shoulder) remains sidelined on Saturday as the Nationals continue a three-game set against the Chicago Cubs. The 25-year-old was held out of the starting nine on Friday afternoon due to a shoulder injury. Fantasy managers should consider the young outfielder day-to-day for the time being. Young has showcased his speed throughout his sophomore campaign this summer, stealing 32 bags. As a result, top prospect Dylan Crews will shift over to center field on Saturday and bat in the leadoff spot. Crews has held a mere .225/.244/.250 line across his past ten games but has a great opportunity against Chicago right-hander Kyle Hendricks to get back on track as Hendricks carries a high 6.25 ERA.

Sep 21

Luis García Jr. • 2B • Nationals

Luis Garcia Jr. Returns To Lineup On Saturday

Washington Nationals second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. (wrist) is back in the starting nine on Saturday afternoon as the Nationals continue a three-game set against the Chicago Cubs. The infielder has been sidelined for the past two games due to a wrist injury. He will return on Saturday but will serve as the designated hitter and bat in the three-hole. Fantasy managers should expect the 24-year-old to return to the infield very soon. Before the minor injury, Garcia was in the midst of a slump through September, holding a .175/.233/.300 line with just three extra-base hits. Throughout the summer, Garcia has posted a strong .280 AVG with 16 home runs and 21 stolen bases. Fantasy managers should feel confident starting him this afternoon as he will face Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks who carries a hefty 6.25 ERA.

Sep 21

CJ Abrams • SS • Nationals

Nationals Sending CJ Abrams To The Minors

The Washington Nationals are optioning shortstop CJ Abrams to the minor leagues on Saturday, according to sources. Abrams had a breakout first half and was named to the National League All-Star squad, but he has struggled in the second half. Since the All-Star break, the former first-rounder has hit just .203 (38-for-187) with five home runs, eight RBI, 17 RBI, 10 walks, 48 strikeouts and 16 stolen bases in 49 games played to drop his season line to .246/.314/.433. The 23-year-old has still produced his first 20-20 season in his second full season in D.C. with 20 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 138 games after hitting 18 dingers and stealing a career-high 47 bags in 2023. It's an odd move, to say the least, especially with the minor-league seasons concluding on Sunday. Abrams did have four hits on Thursday and has hit .271 (13-for-48) with two homers, three doubles, three RBI and four steals in September.

Sep 21

Trevor Williams • SP • Nationals

Trevor Williams Activated And Starting On Friday

Washington Nationals right-hander Trevor Williams (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list on Friday and is starting at Wrigley Field against the hosting Chicago Cubs. Williams was looking excellent earlier this year before suffering a flexor strain in his right elbow and missing the last four months. Because of all the time away, the 32-year-old veteran will be a pretty risky fantasy streamer on the road on Friday. He was able to get up to 73 pitches in his last minor-league rehab start, though, so he should be pretty stretched out in his return to Washington's starting rotation. In his first 11 starts in 2024 before getting hurt, Williams had gone 5-0 with a 2.22 ERA (2.82 FIP) and a 1.08 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 16 walks over his 56 2/3 innings thrown. Williams' last start for the Nats came all the way back on May 30.

Sep 20

CJ Abrams • SS • Nationals

CJ Abrams Slaps Four Hits, Swipes Two Bags

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams was seeing the ball well on Thursday, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored, and two stolen bases in a 7-6 loss against the Chicago Cubs. Abrams reached the 30-steal mark with his two swipes as he continues to be one of the game's premiere thieves. While his power and speed numbers remain very good, Abrams has struggled tremendously in the second half, with an OPS of .572 in July, .569 in August, and .656 in September coming into this one. He should remain a solid fantasy option in 2025, but managers should be aware that prolonged slumps are likely with Abrams.

Sep 20

Luis García Jr. • 2B • Nationals

Luis Garcia Jr. Sitting Again On Thursday

Washington Nationals second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. (wrist) is out of the starting lineup again on Thursday at Wrigley Field for the contest against the hosting Chicago Cubs. Darren Baker is manning second base for the Nats and will hit eighth against Cubs right-hander Javier Assad. This will be Garcia's second straight game on the bench due to wrist discomfort, although it's not considered a very serious injury. Fantasy managers should consider the 24-year-old to be day-to-day. Garcia is in the midst of a career season, as he enters Thursday's action slashing .280/.319/.440 with a .759 OPS, 16 home runs, 25 RBI and 21 stolen bases in his 132 games played. He would surely like to return soon to finish off his strong 2024 season the right way. Baker, 25, will be playing in just his sixth major-league game on Thursday. He's gone 2-for-5 so far with a double and two strikeouts for the Nats.

Sep 19

Luis García Jr. • 2B • Nationals

Luis Garcia Jr. Removed As A Precaution On Tuesday

Washington Nationals second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. (wrist) said his right wrist was bothering him after his last swing in Tuesday's contest at Citi Field against the division-rival New York Mets, and manager Dave Martinez removed him as a precaution. Before he was pulled, Garcia went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before eventually being replaced at the keystone by Jose Tena. The 24-year-old's injury doesn't appear to be too serious, but fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if the Nationals give Garcia a day to rest on Wednesday. It's been a breakout season in 2024 for Garcia in his fifth year in the big leagues for Washington, as he entered Tuesday's action slashing .281/.320/.442 with career-highs in OPS (.762), home runs (16), RBI (65) and stolen bases (21) in 131 games played. If Garcia misses additional time, either Tena or Ildemaro Vargas will pick up playing time at second base.

Sep 18

Alex Call • LF • Nationals

Nationals Hoping Alex Call Can Play Again This Year

The plan is for Washington Nationals outfielder Alex Call (foot) to go on a quick minor-league rehab assignment soon so that he can play in the majors before the end of the regular season at the end of the month. The Nationals put Call on the 10-day injured list at the end of August with a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his left foot. The fact that the 29-year-old even has a chance to return before the end of the 2024 season is a bit of a surprise. Call hit .200 (75-for-375) with eight home runs in his first full big-league season in 2023 in D.C. In only 30 games this year, he's been much better with a .343/.425/.525 slash line, a career-best .950 OPS, three homers, 14 RBI and five steals. Even before outfield prospects James Wood and Dylan Crews reached the big leagues, Call was mainly considered a fourth-outfielder type with a better glove than bat.

Sep 18

Cade Cavalli • SP • Nationals

Cade Cavalli Won't Pitch In A Game Before End Of The Season

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that right-handed pitching prospect Cade Cavalli (elbow) will finish his throwing program, but he's not going to pitch in a game before the end of the regular season. After missing all of 2023 due to Tommy John surgery, Cavalli opened this year on the injured list and then suffered a setback with his arm in the minors while rehabbing. The 26-year-old ended up only making three starts in the Florida Complex League and at High-A Wilmington. The team's No. 8 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has lost some prospect steam after back-to-back lost seasons due to injury. Cavalli will spend the offseason trying to get his right arm healthy, and if he can stay healthy in 2025, he could end up being a post-hype sleeper prospect to keep an eye on. He made his big-league debut late in 2022 and allowed seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings in his only start before getting hurt.

Sep 18

CJ Abrams • SS • Nationals

CJ Abrams Back In The Lineup

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (shoulder) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the New York Mets. The left-handed slugger returns to the lineup after missing each of the last four games due to left shoulder soreness. Luckily, it was only a minor issue and Abrams should be fully ready to go on Tuesday. He'll serve as the leadoff hitter and cover shortstop against right-hander Tylor Megill. The 23-year-old is slumping in September but is hitting .239 with 20 home runs and 65 RBI in 2024. Fantasy managers who have Abrams rostered can get him back in their lineups on Tuesday.

Sep 17

Trevor Williams • SP • Nationals

Trevor Williams Expected To Return This Weekend

MASN's Mark Zuckerman writes that it's looking good for Washington Nationals right-hander Trevor Williams (elbow) to come off the injured list to rejoin the team this weekend in Chicago at Wrigley Field for their series against the Chicago Cubs. After getting up to 73 pitches in his most recent minor-league rehab start with Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday, the 32-year-old appears primed to rejoin Washington's starting rotation this weekend in Chicago. Because of the fact that he has been out of action since late May with a right-flexor strain in his elbow, Williams will be a risky fantasy streamer for anyone still playing for a championship. However, Williams was having an excellent start to the year before going down, posting a perfect 5-0 record, a 2.22 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 47:16 K:BB in his 11 starts covering 56 2/3 innings.

Sep 17

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