Washington Nationals News

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Connelly Early • SP • Nationals

Connelly Early to Pitch This Weekend

Washington Nationals left-hander Connelly Early (elbow) threw 40 pitches across 1 2/3 innings with Triple-A Rochester on Sept. 20 and will come off the 60-day injured list to make one more start this season this weekend against the division-rival New York Mets, according to MLB.com. Early landed on the injured list on July 1 and was moved to the 60-day IL on Aug. 22 due to inflammation in his left elbow. It will be his first start with the Nationals after the team acquired him from the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline in early August. In his 17 starts (91 2/3 innings pitched) for the BoSox this year in his second season in the big leagues, Early went 7-5 with a 3.44 ERA (4.60 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 93 strikeouts and 34 walks. He had a 2.33 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in a smaller sample size of only four starts in his first taste of the big leagues near the end of the 2025 campaign. Early, a fifth-rounder from Virginia in 2023, is one of the more intriguing young lefty arms in baseball, but he will be far too risky in starting fantasy lineups with championships on the line this weekend against New York after his long injury layoff. UPDATE: Early will make his Nationals debut on Saturday.

3 days ago

Dylan Crews • RF • Nationals

Dylan Crews' Balanced Profile Gives Him Deep-League Waiver-Wire Appeal

Across 427 plate appearances in 2026, Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews is hitting .226/.290/.372 with 12 home runs, 43 RBI, 51 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. While the 24-year-old's overall line may not stand out, he's made some slight improvements in the second half of the season. Crews is hitting .237 across 238 plate appearances since the All-Star break after hitting .211 across 189 plate appearances in the first half. The young outfielder has also had one of his better months in September, hitting .250 with two home runs and three stolen bases across 74 trips to the plate. Crews may never emerge as the superstar many projected him to be when he was a prospect. However, Crews may be rounding into a decent source of power, speed, and run production for deep-league managers to target on the waiver wire.

5 days ago

Cade Cavalli • SP • Nationals

Cade Cavalli Done for the Year

Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli is done for the year and will not make another start in the final week of the 2026 season, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. Cavalli is healthy, but the Nationals will shut him down given all of his innings and where they are in the standings with no hope of a playoff berth. The 28-year-old former first-rounder in 2020 from the University of Oklahoma had a breakout 2026 campaign in his first full year in the big leagues in D.C., going 13-5 with a 3.02 ERA (3.25 FIP) and 1.15 WHIP with a career-high 200 strikeouts and 48 walks in 169 2/3 innings pitched across his 32 starts. Going into the year, Cavalli had only made 11 starts and had missed all of 2023 after having Tommy John surgery. Washington recently rewarded the rising young arm with a four-year, $47 million contract extension last week. Cavalli will be an intriguing starting-pitching target in all fantasy formats next year after raising his strikeout rate to a career-high 28.3% in 2026.

6 days ago

Cade Cavalli • SP • Nationals

Cade Cavalli Agrees to Four-Year Extension With Nationals

The Washington Nationals announced on Friday that they agreed to a four-year contract extension with right-hander Cade Cavalli through the 2030 season that includes a club option for the 2031 season. The deal is worth $47 million guaranteed and $70 million if the options are picked up, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. The 28-year-old secures his future in D.C. after a breakout 2026 campaign. The former 22nd overall pick from the University of Oklahoma in 2020 has gone 12-5 this year with a 3.12 ERA (3.33 FIP), 1.17 WHIP, and 194:48 K:BB in 164 2/3 innings pitched across his 31 starts in his first full season in the big leagues. Cavalli only made one start in his debut season in 2022 with the Nats, did not pitch at all in 2023 due to Tommy John surgery, and made only 10 starts in Washington last year. He has posted a career-high 28.2% strikeout rate and maintained the command that he showed in a small sample size in 2025 by walking 7.0% of the batters he has faced. With a longer leash in 2027, Cavalli could be even better if he stays healthy.

Sep 18

Seaver King • SS • Nationals

Seaver King Producing Tremendous Minor-League Season at Age 23

Washington Nationals infield prospect Seaver King hit his 20th homer of the season on Wednesday night at Triple-A Rochester to put an exclamation point on his breakout 2026 season in the minor leagues. Between Double-A Harrisburg and Rochester this season, King has hit .306 with those 20 homers and 73 RBI to go with 85 runs scored and 15 stolen bases. It's a complete stat line from the Wake Forest grad, but he hasn't received a call-up yet from the Nationals. He is the No. 4 prospect in the Nationals system and has a 50-grade hit tool with 45-grade power and 70-grade speed. Look for King's strong minor league season at age 23 to give him a shot at breaking camp with the major league team in 2027. He has done everything he can to prove worthy of the opportunity and would be a good fantasy player to target in 2027 drafts.

Sep 18

CJ Abrams • SS • Nationals

CJ Abrams Returns to the Lineup Against Phillies

Washington Nationals middle infielder CJ Abrams (neck) is starting at second base and will hit cleanup for the Nats on Wednesday at home against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler, per MLB.com. The Nationals scratched Abrams from Tuesday's win over Philly due to tightness in his neck, but he is back a day later and will be making just his sixth career start at the keystone as the team slowly transitions him from shortstop to second base to end the 2026 season. Fantasy managers will want to get Abrams back in their lineups immediately during his breakout season, in which he has hit .264/.339/.494 with an .834 OPS, 30 home runs, 96 RBI, 88 runs scored, and 29 stolen bases in 542 at-bats. The former first-rounder needs just one stolen base to join the elusive 30-30 club in his fifth year in the big leagues. Abrams is slowing down late in the year, though, hitting just .173 (17-for-98) in 24 games in August while going 10-for-44 (.227) with a homer, three doubles, four RBI, seven runs, three steals, four walks, and 14 strikeouts so far in 11 games in September. He has hit .296 with two RBI and a .914 OPS in 27 career at-bats against Wheeler.

Sep 16

Jarlin Susana • RP • Nationals

Jarlin Susana Promoted to Triple-A, Also Headed to Arizona Fall League

Washington Nationals pitching prospect Jarlin Susana was promoted to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday and will get a shot to help catapult the Red Wings to the playoffs, with the squad currently sitting in first place in the second half of the International League East. The Nats' third-ranked prospect missed most of the season recovering from right lat surgery, but showed he was still highly capable of striking out batters, recording 21 punchouts in just 11 1/3 innings pitched at Double-A upon his return, which was good for a 16.7 K/9. The 6-foot-6 hurler will then head to the Arizona Fall League for some additional reps once the Triple-A season wraps up, and he should be in the mix for a major league debut at some point next season. The 22-year-old has some command concerns, but oozing with sky-high strikeout potential, he's still a worthwhile dynasty asset.

Sep 16

CJ Abrams • SS • Nationals

CJ Abrams Scratched on Tuesday with Neck Tightness

Washington Nationals infielder CJ Abrams (neck) was scratched from his team's lineup on Tuesday due to neck tightness, per Mark Zuckerman of Nats Journal. It's not yet clear if Abrams will require a trip to the injured list or if he will be able to return to Washington's lineup within the next few days. Across 613 plate appearances this season, the 25-year-old is hitting .264/.339/.494 with 30 home runs, 96 RBI, 88 runs scored, and 29 stolen bases. While Abrams has had an excellent year overall, his production has fallen off of late. Across 155 plate appearances since the start of August, Abrams is hitting just .192 with two home runs and a 33.5% strikeout rate. In addition to his current neck issue, Abrams has also dealt with back tightness. If he misses time, Nationals infielder Jorbit Vivas would likely see an increase in at-bats.

Sep 15

Eli Willits • SS • Nationals

Eli Willits Makes Debut At Double-A Harrisburg

Washington Nationals 18-year-old shortstop prospect Eli Willits made his debut at Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday and has gone 1-for-8 in his first two games at his new minor league level with an RBI in each of his first two contests. Willits is known as a speedster and has 60 stolen bases combined between three levels of the minors. The switch hitter also has 13 combined home runs with 72 RBI and 100 runs scored. Willits was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft and is top prospect in the Nationals system. He has the looks of a future league winner in the category of stolen bases. His stolen base prowess alone makes him worth a dynasty addition . He has a 60-grade hit tool and a 60-grade run tool with 50-grade power. The speed is off the charts and he looks like a future fantasy difference maker.

Sep 11

Eli Willits • SS • Nationals

Eli Willits Will Finish Off 2026 at Double-A Harrisburg

Washington Nationals infield prospect Eli Willits was promoted to Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday after a strong campaign split between Single-A and High-A, per Spencer Nusbaum of the Athletic. The Nats' top-ranked prospect (MLB No. 4) slashed .300/.418/.500 in 47 games at Single-A, then .230/.392/.420 in 64 games at Double-A. Though the batting average took a dip at the higher level, his strikeout rate improved by more than four percent, settling in at 19.0 percent, which was also right around his walk rate of 18.7 percent. The speed was evident regardless of level, with the former first-overall draft pick swiping 60 bags in all this season. With a strong combination of contact, power, and speed, there's a reason why the switch-hitter is so highly regarded, and although the 18-year-old won't debut for a couple of years, he's a prized dynasty asset.

Sep 9

Seaver King • SS • Nationals

Seaver King Still a High-Upside Stash Candidate

Washington Nationals infield prospect Seaver King just had a great month in August at Triple-A Rochester and is worth keeping on the stash radar this season despite not being called up at the beginning of September. In August, King launched nine homers with 17 RBI and stole five bases while hitting .330. King is the Nationals' No. 4 prospect with a 50-grade hit tool and 70-grade speed. In the minors this season, King combined to steal 14 bases across two levels. With CJ Abrams and Nasim Nunez in the infield for the Nationals at shortstop and second base, respectively, King could find it a little bit tough to break through for playing time in the middle infield. However, the Nationals may want to take a chance and give King some playing time at the end of the year, and he would be a great potential five-category contributor if so.

Sep 5

Cade Cavalli • SP • Nationals

Cade Cavalli Set to Start on Saturday Against Dodgers

Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli (calf) has been cleared to make his next start on Saturday on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to MLB.com. Cavalli only made it through four innings in his previous start last Saturday against the division-rival Miami Marlins after he was hit by a line drive on his calf. The 28-year-old was able to avoid a major injury, though, and should be fine to pitch again this weekend against the defending World Series champion Dodgers. Cavalli has been a strong fantasy option in his first full major-league season in 2026, going 12-5 with a 3.12 ERA (3.38 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 177 strikeouts and 46 walks in 152 2/3 innings across his 29 starts. The former first-round pick in 2020 from the University of Oklahoma allowed more than two earned runs only once in his six starts in August, posting a 1.75 ERA (3.93 FIP) with 10 walks and 47 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched. Cavalli should be good for a full workload in his return to the mound on Saturday, but the matchup is obviously not ideal.

Sep 4

James Wood • RF • Nationals

James Wood Activated And Starting on Wednesday

The Washington Nationals officially activated outfielder James Wood (oblique) from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday, and he is starting in right field and batting leadoff against the visiting Atlanta Braves and right-hander Grant Holmes, according to the team. Wood will make his return to Washington's roster after missing almost a month with a strained left oblique. He is back in the starting nine after going 2-for-6 with a homer in two minor-league rehab games. Although the left-handed slugger has hit just .191 (13-for-68) with a .620 OPS and just two home runs in 17 games since the All-Star break, fantasy managers will want to get him back into their lineups in all traditional leagues now that he is healthy. Wood clobbered 28 home runs, drove in 64, and stole 15 bases in the first half of the campaign and remains one of the best all-around sluggers in the game. In just six career at-bats against Holmes, Wood is hitting .167, but he does have a solo home run against him. Wood has the ability to put fantasy teams over the top in September.

Sep 2

James Wood • RF • Nationals

James Wood Likely to Return to Nationals Lineup on Wednesday

Washington Nationals manager Blake Butera said that outfielder James Wood (oblique) will "be back in the Nationals lineup (on Wednesday) if he feels good in the AM," per Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. Wood has been sidelined by an oblique injury since early August. However, the 23-year-old has now made a couple of rehab appearances with Double-A Harrisburg and appears to be ready to return to the big leagues. Across 535 plate appearances before the injury, Wood slashed .265/.393/.535 with 30 home runs, 73 RBI, 100 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases. Wood owns an elevated 28.6% strikeout rate, but he's walked in 16.8% of his plate appearances and owns elite barrel (20.8%) and hard-hit (57.6%) rates. Once activated, Wood profiles as a must-start fantasy outfielder.

Sep 1

CJ Abrams • SS • Nationals

CJ Abrams Returns From Back Injury on Tuesday

Washington Nationals middle infielder CJ Abrams (back) is starting at shortstop and will bat leadoff in Tuesday's contest at home against the division-rival Atlanta Braves and right-hander A.J. Smith-Shawver, per MLB.com. Abrams, who continues to slowly transition over to second base on defense, was scratched from Monday's series opener against Atlanta with back tightness. He is back a day later, though, and fantasy managers need to get him back into their starting lineups as one of the most productive shortstops in the game this year. The 25-year-old left-handed hitter is slashing .267/.343/.506 this year with an .849 OPS, 29 home runs, 92 RBI, 26 stolen bases, and 81 runs scored across his 498 at-bats in his fourth full season in D.C. August was Abrams' worst month of the year, though, batting .173 (17-for-98) with a .519 OPS, one homer, five doubles, a triple, nine RBI, 12 runs scored, seven steals, seven walks, and 38 strikeouts in 24 games. He will try to turn things around over the final month in September. Abrams has hit .286 with an RBI in seven career at-bats against Smith-Shawver.

Sep 1

Seaver King • SS • Nationals

Seaver King Stays Hot, Adds Some Positional Versatility

Washington Nationals infield prospect Seaver King homered in his latest game this past Sunday, now hitting .340 with a 1.077 OPS, nine home runs, and five stolen bases in 26 games since his return from the injured list on July 30. The Nats' fourth-ranked prospect is now slashing .304/.378/.536 with 14 home runs and nine steals at Triple-A Rochester in 59 games since earning a promotion to the minors' highest level in mid-May. Impressive as he's been, the organization has already stated that they don't intend to promote him to the big-league club this year, but that hasn't stopped them from preparing him to be with the team next season, as the former first-rounder manned third base for the first time in his career two weeks ago, and did so for a second time last week. The 23-year-old can be left on the waiver wire in redraft leagues, but his dynasty stock has helium, and with multiple pathways to the majors (including shortstop and second base), he could have an impact early next year.

Sep 1

Yohandy Morales • 1B • Nationals

Nationals Promote Yohandy Morales After Strong Showing at Triple-A

The Washington Nationals called up corner-infield prospect Yohandy Morales from Triple-A Rochester with rosters expanding on Tuesday, Sept. 1, sources told Francys Romero. The 24-year-old former second-round pick in 2023 from the University of Miami gets his first call to the big leagues after hitting .286/.363/.519 with an .881 OPS, 25 home runs, 76 RBI, 82 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 104 games across 455 plate appearances for Rochester this year. Morales is not listed among the team's top-30 prospects at MLB Pipeline, but his strong season could not be ignored with rosters expanding for the final month of the season in September. He has experience at first and third base, and the Nats could also use him as a designated hitter, giving him multiple avenues to playing time to close out the season. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues may want to give Morales a look off the waiver wire for power to see if he can continue his strong 2026 season at the major-league level.

Sep 1

James Wood • RF • Nationals

James Wood Unlikely to Return to the Nationals on Tuesday

Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood (oblique) will likely "play in at least one more rehab game" and "most likely won't be playing" for the Nationals on Tuesday, per Mark Zuckerman of Nats Journal. Wood has been on the 10-day injured list since early August due to an oblique injury. While Wood seems to be on the doorstep of a return to the big leagues, he's played in just one rehab game so far, and it appears the team wants him to log a few more minor league at-bats before activating him. Across 535 plate appearances before the injury, Wood slashed .265/.393/.535 with 30 home runs, 73 RBI, 100 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases. The 23-year-old's high-end production in 2026 is supported by his elite barrel (20.8%) and hard-hit (57.6%) rates. Upon his return, Wood has the ability to swing fantasy leagues in the season's final month.

Aug 31

CJ Abrams • SS • Nationals

CJ Abrams Scratched on Monday With Back Tightness

Washington Nationals middle infielder CJ Abrams (back) has been scratched from the starting lineup on Monday against the division-rival Miami Marlins due to back tightness, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. Nasim Nunez is starting at shortstop and is batting eighth, while Jorbit Vivas will make the start at second and hit sixth versus Marlins right-hander Ryan Gusto. The Baltimore Banner's Kyle W. reports that manager Blake Butera said on Monday that Abrams is going to be closer to a 50/50 split between shortstop and second base for the rest of the season. Butera said that Abrams has played a "lights-out shortstop" over the past couple of weeks. Fantasy managers should consider the 25-year-old to be day-to-day for now and check back on his status before Game 2 of the series against Miami on Tuesday. The former first-rounder and two-time All-Star has been one of the most valuable shortstops in fantasy in 2026, and he will soon be gaining second base eligibility. Abrams came into Monday's series opener with a .267/.343/.506 slash line, an .849 OPS, a career-high 29 home runs, 92 RBI, 26 stolen bases, and 81 runs scored across 131 games. His first 30-30 campaign is well within reach as long as his back injury is not serious.

Aug 31

James Wood • RF • Nationals

James Wood to Play in Rehab Game on Sunday

Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood (oblique) will play seven innings in left field for Double-A Harrisburg in a minor-league rehab game on Sunday, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. Wood wanted to see live pitching before the Nats reinstated him from the 10-day injured list. If everything goes well on Sunday, manager Blake Butera said that the team will likely give the left-handed slugger Monday off. Barring a setback, it looks as though Wood will return from the IL to rejoin the starting nine in D.C. for the start of a series against the division-rival Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. The 23-year-old two-time All-Star will immediately be a must-start again in all fantasy baseball leagues when he returns to a .265/.393/.535 slash line, a .928 OPS, 30 home runs, 73 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 100 runs scored in his 437 at-bats in 2026. Even though Wood has hit .191 (13-for-68) with just two of his 30 homers in 17 games since the All-Star break, he could carry fantasy teams down the stretch in the final month of the regular season in September after recovering from a strained oblique muscle.

Aug 30

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