Washington Nationals News

Brad Lord • SP • Nationals

Brad Lord Makes Opening Day Roster

Washington Nationals right-handed pitching prospect Brad Lord has made the Opening Day roster and will be deployed out of the bullpen. Lord was competing for a spot during spring training and was able to make the final cut. During camp, Lord posted a 6.08 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP across 13 1/3 innings. He tallied eight punchouts and allowed just three walks. He has yet to appear in an MLB contest and could make his debut on Opening Day if called on. Last season, the South Florida product spent time with High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. He spent most of his time at Double-A, where he posted a strong 1.40 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP. Across these 70 2/3 innings, Lord tallied 75 punchouts and served up 23 free passes. Fantasy managers should expect him to begin the season in a low-leverage role but could eventually grow into a high-leverage position.

2 hours ago

DJ Herz • SP • Nationals

DJ Herz Placed On The Injured List

Nationals left-hander DJ Herz (elbow) will begin the season on the 15-day injured list with a UCL sprain. Herz was optioned to Triple-A Rochester last Friday after dealing with a "dead arm" this spring. He showed a high ceiling with a 10.7 K/9 in 88 2/3 innings with the Nats last year with a 4.16 ERA and 3.71 FIP. This spring, though, his velocity was down, and he managed just four strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings while walking nine and giving up nine runs. Hopefully, this injury explains his issues, and when he recovers, he'll be back to full strength. That could be a while, though, since he'll have to be shut down and then ramp back up. He still has long-term potential, but going on the IL moves any potential impact to later in the season.

Yesterday

Derek Law • RP • Nationals

Derek Law Will Not Be Ready For Opening Day

Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Derek Law (elbow) is not expected to be ready for Opening Day. According to Spencer Nusbaum of the Washington Post, Law believes he will be placed on the 15-day injured list to begin the season. Law has been slowly increasing his workload during camp after battling an elbow injury last season that has continued to linger. Last season, the 24-year-old held a 2.60 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP. Across this stint, Law tallied just 76 strikeouts but showed strong command as he served up walks at a solid 6.6 percent rate. He also generated an elite 3.8 percent barrel rate and a 35.2 percent hard-hit rate. When Law returns to action, fantasy managers should expect him to be a reliable source of holds, as he tallied 17 last season while typically pitching in the seventh inning.

4 days ago

Colin Poche • RP • Nationals

Colin Poche Makes Nationals Opening Day Roster

The Washington Nationals selected the contract of left-hander Colin Poche on Saturday, adding him to their 40-man roster ahead of Opening Day next Thursday. Poche wasn't anything special during his 4 2/3 innings in the Grapefruit League this spring, giving up four earned runs, but the 31-year-old veteran southpaw will give the Nats some experience in their bullpen to begin the year. In a likely middle-relief role in Washington, Poche isn't going to have much fantasy appeal at all, although he did have a solid 3.27 ERA (4.16 FIP), a 1.13 WHIP, 10 saves, 158 strikeouts and 59 walks in 156 2/3 innings over 174 relief appearances for the Tampa Bay Rays over the last three seasons. He's also added 17 wins and 65 holds since the start of the 2022 season, so don't count him out as an under-the-radar contributor in holds leagues.

4 days ago

DJ Herz • SP • Nationals

DJ Herz Heading To Minors

Washington Nationals starting pitcher DJ Herz has been optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Friday. An interesting development as the Nats have decided to roll with Mitchell Parker as their fifth starter to begin the season. Herz wasn't great last season, but he did have some solid moments with the Nats. Herz posted a 4.16 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 106/36 K/BB ratio across 19 starts with the Nats in 2024. Obviously, Herz won't offer fantasy value in the minors, but dynasty managers should continue to hold the southpaw. He does have decent potential and should get another chance in the Nats rotation at some point this upcoming season.

4 days ago

Shinnosuke Ogasawara • P • Nationals

Shinnosuke Ogasawara Optioned To Minors

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Shinnosuke Ogasawara has been optioned to Triple-A Rochester. The left-hander signed a two-year, $3.5 million deal with the Nats this offseason. Before that, Ogasawara was posting solid numbers in Japan. This past season, Ogasawara 3.12 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 82/22 K/BB ratio across 24 appearances with the Chunichi Dragons. The expectation is that the 27-year-old will contribute to the Nats pitching staff at some point. For now, the Nats want him to continue getting in more work at the minor league level.

4 days ago

Cade Cavalli • SP • Nationals

Cade Cavalli To Face Live Hitters

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli (elbow) is scheduled to face live hitters on Thursday. This marks the first time that Cavalli has faced batters this spring. The 26-year-old continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery he had two seasons ago. The right-hander is likely to begin the season on the injured list while he continues to rehab his elbow. After that, Cavalli is likely to ramp up activities in the minors before possibly joining the Nats rotation.

5 days ago

Jorge López • RP • Nationals

Jorge Lopez To Throw On Friday

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jorge Lopez (hip) is set to return to the mound during Friday's spring training contest against the Miami Marlins. Lopez has been sidelined for about 10 days due to a lingering left hip issue. He appears to be over the issue, so he shouldn't require a stint on the injured list. Barring any setbacks, Lopez should serve as the primary setup option in Washington behind Kyle Finnegan. That being said, Lopez probably won't have fantasy value right away in Washington, but is someone to keep an eye on in case Finnegan gets injured, traded, or regresses and gets pulled from the role.

5 days ago

Brady House • SS • Nationals

Brady House Reassigned To Minor-League Camp

Washington Nationals third base prospect Brady House was reassigned to minor-league camp on Wednesday. The 2021 first-round draft pick had a solid showing this spring, going 7-for-21 (.333) with one stolen base and a 4:4 BB:K. The Nats will roll with veteran Paul DeJong at third for the time being while House will get more seasoning in the minors before he gets the call to the big leagues. The 6-foot-4 slugger ascended to Triple-A by midseason last year and slashed .250/.280/.375 with six home runs in 224 at-bats, but registered a high 28.8 percent K% and a low 3.0 percent BB%. Big power can come with lots of strikeouts, but Washington will probably want to see him have a bit more success before giving him a shot in the majors. The Nationals' fourth-ranked prospect could have an immediate impact, though, and fantasy managers should stay vigilant for any positive developments as the season progresses.

6 days ago

Robert Hassell III • CF • Nationals

Robert Hassell III Optioned To Triple-A Rochester

The Washington Nationals optioned outfield prospect Robert Hassell III to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, but the former eighth-overall draft pick definitely made his mark on the spring, going 17-for-46 (.370) with a home run, five doubles, and a pair of stolen bases in Grapefruit League play. The left-handed hitter got a taste of Triple-A pitching late last season but did not have the desired results after slashing .125/.188/.156 with no home runs and a 24.6 percent strikeout rate. So, the 23-year-old will get another chance to test his mettle against the top tier of minor league pitching, and after the spring he had, could push for a major league debut later this year if all goes well. The Nats' 12th-ranked prospect is not a stash candidate in redraft leagues yet but has the tools to produce when ready, so managers will want to keep tabs on his performance at Rochester.

6 days ago

Cade Cavalli • SP • Nationals

Cade Cavalli Expected To Open The Season On The Injured List

Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Cade Cavalli (elbow) is expected to open the season on the injured list. The 26-year-old has been slowly increasing his workload after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023. Cavalli has not made his spring training debut and is expected to be on a strict workload limit during the start of the season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but should not expect him to carry much fantasy value early in the season, even when he is activated off the injured list. Last summer, Cavalli was able to log eight 1/3 innings in the minor leagues and held a 2.16 ERA with a 0.72 WHIP. He tallied an impressive 13 punchouts. When he is cleared to return to the big leagues, he may compete for a spot in the rotation during the second half of the campaign.

7 days ago

Daylen Lile • CF • Nationals

Daylen Lile Highlights Trio Of Reassignments For Nationals

Washington Nationals outfield prospect Daylen Lile was reassigned to minor league camp on Monday, along with infield prospects Cayden Wallace and Yohandy Morales. Lile is the highest-ranked prospect of the bunch, coming in as the Nats' No. 10 prospect, followed by Wallace at No. 11, and Morales at No. 13. None of them did much of note with the bat this spring, although none have gotten a taste of Triple-A pitching yet during their time in the minors. Each has an expected ETA of 2026 per MLB.com's Top 30 Prospects list for the Nationals, and we'll want to see them perform well this season at the highest level of the minors before we start considering them for fantasy.

Mar 18

MacKenzie Gore • SP • Nationals

MacKenzie Gore Named Opening Day Starter

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez announced that left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore will start on Opening Day as the Nationals play host to the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, March 27. Gore, a former first-round pick by the San Diego Padres in 2017, will be entering his third season with the Nationals and look to start the season on a high note. During the 2024 season, Gore was 10-12 with a 3.90 ERA, 3.53 FIP, and a 10.8 K/9. Gore has been in the big leagues since 2022, and we have continued to see him improve year over year. At NFBC, Gore's ADP is 205 overall, aligning with RotoBaller's current overall rankings of 207 for Gore. Fantasy managers looking for a young arm with upside will want to target him in their upcoming drafts.

Mar 17

Amed Rosario • RF • Nationals

Amed Rosario Returning On Saturday

Washington Nationals infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario (knee) is returning to the starting nine on Saturday afternoon. Rosario will cover shortstop and bat at the top of the other. Rosario has been battling a minor knee injury during the week but is quickly returning to the starting lineup. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears that this injury was not very serious. Earlier in the offseason, the Nationals signed the 29-year-old to a one-year, $2 million contract. Last season, Rosario spent time with three clubs and held an overall .280/.306/.380 slash line. He tallied 18 doubles and three home runs, He swiped 13 bags and held a 9:73 BB:K ratio. During the regular season, fantasy managers should expect Rosario to be deployed as a depth option in the infield.

Mar 15

Andrés Chaparro • 1B • Nationals

Andres Chaparro Injured Taking Batting Practice

Washington Nationals first baseman/designated hitter Andres Chaparro (side) apparently injured his left side while taking batting practice on Friday before the team's Grapefruit League game against the division-rival Atlanta Braves. Chaparro left with a trainer while grabbing at his side. The 25-year-old has been in competition with Juan Yepez this spring for a roster spot and is having a great camp, batting .400 with a 1.008 OPS. Depending on the severity and specific nature of his injury, Chaparro could lose out on a roster spot and be forced to open the 2025 season on the injured list. Stay tuned for an update on his injury when the Nationals provide one. The Nats acquired the Venezuelan from the D-backs last year, and he hit .215 (26-for-121) with four homers and 15 RBI in his first 33 big-league games in 2024 in D.C. UPDATE: Chaparro is dealing with left-oblique tightness and will undergo an MRI exam on Saturday morning, according to manager Dave Martinez.

Mar 14

CJ Abrams • SS • Nationals

CJ Abrams Back In Thursday's Lineup

As expected, Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (quadriceps) is back in the Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays after being pulled following a first-inning triple on Wednesday. Abrams is back at the 6 and is batting leadoff after experiencing tightness in both of his quadriceps muscles on Wednesday while rounding the bases. After a strong start to last season, the 24-year-old looks primed for another strong start in 2025 while hitting .300 with a home run in 30 at-bats this spring. However, Abrams tailed off in the second half in 2024 and was sent to the minors for staying out past curfew on a trip to Chicago. His chase rate is perhaps his biggest red flag, but Abrams still offers enough power/speed upside to be considered a top-10 fantasy shortstop. He was a first-time All-Star last year and had 20 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 138 games played.

Mar 13

Jackson Rutledge • SP • Nationals

Jackson Rutledge Moving To The Bullpen

MASN's Mark Zuckerman reports that the Washington Nationals are moving 2019 first-rounder Jackson Rutledge to the bullpen, according to manager Dave Martinez. The Nationals currently have plenty of starting-pitching depth entering the 2025 season, so this will be the 25-year-old right-hander's best shot at making the Opening Day roster. The Washington Post's Andrew Golden specifically notes that Martinez said Rutledge will serve in a multi-inning role out of the bullpen. The Nationals think the young pitcher will be more effective in his new role and will gain velocity in shorter stints. In addition to Rutledge, Cole Henry has also been moved to the 'pen this spring. Rutledge had a walk rate over 13% with a rough 6.40 ERA at Triple-A Rochester last year and also has a 5.72 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 28 1/3 innings over seven outings (five starts) the last two years in the big leagues.

Mar 13

Amed Rosario • RF • Nationals

Amed Rosario Dealing With Minor Knee Injury

Washington Nationals infielder Amed Rosario (knee) was scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Houston Astros due to a knee injury. However, Rosario told manager Dave Martinez that he could have played if it was a regular season game. The 29-year-old was just being cautious with two weeks until Opening Day. Cayden Wallace took over for the veteran infielder at second base on Wednesday and hit eighth in the lineup. Since it's a minor injury, Rosario could return as soon as Thursday for the spring game against the Tampa Bay Rays, one of his former teams. He signed a one-year deal with the Nats back in January and is expected to fill a utility infield role for Washington, which will leave him minimal fantasy value in NL-only leagues with basically zero upside. The Dominican infielder played for three teams last year and hit .280 in 103 games, but it came with just three home runs.

Mar 13

CJ Abrams • SS • Nationals

CJ Abrams Pulled On Wednesday But Expected To Return Thursday

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (quadriceps) was pulled from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game early against the Houston Astros after both of his quadriceps muscles tightened up on him during his first-inning triple. "He should be OK," manager Dave Martinez said. The 24-year-old is scheduled to be on the trip to Port Charlotte for Thursday's spring game against the Tampa Bay Rays, so it's obviously not a big concern. After tripling in the first inning, Abrams has now gone 9-for-30 in Grapefruit League play with a home run in 10 contests. He was a first-time All-Star in his second full season in D.C. in 2024 but had a lapse in judgment late in the year when he stayed out past curfew, which resulted in a trip back to the minors as punishment. Abrams was unable to sustain a solid first half and also continued to chase too many pitches, but there's no denying his power/speed upside as a top-10 fantasy SS.

Mar 13

Derek Law • RP • Nationals

Derek Law Intent On Breaking Nats' Workload Record

In 2025, Washington Nationals relief pitcher Derek Law has his sights set on breaking the team's innings pitched record for a reliever. As such, the 34-year-old is just starting to ramp up, throwing to live batters for the first time this spring despite being fully healthy. The intent is to not put any unnecessary stress on his arm before the season begins, especially after throwing 90 innings in 2024, the second-most for a relief pitcher in all of baseball last season. To beat the record, the righty will have to surpass 93 innings pitched to pass the current record-holder, Saul Rivera. The veteran posted a good 2.60 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP on the way to setting a career high in holds with 17, but isn't known for having strikeout stuff like many relievers of today, logging a 7.6 K/9 and a 14.2 percent K-BB%. With that being the case, Law is really only worthy of a roster spot in leagues that reward holds or NL-only formats.

Mar 11

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