Washington Nationals News

DJ Herz  • SP  •  Nationals

DJ Herz Throws Five Hitless Innings, Picks Up Win

Washington Nationals starting pitcher DJ Herz threw five hitless innings on Saturday and picked up the win in the first game of the Nationals-Pirates doubleheader as Washington won 5-3. Herz struck out five and walked three in the process, unable to go deeper in the game after throwing 87 pitches in five innings. The lefty has provided solid value for the Nationals in his rookie season, posting a 3.82 ERA in just over 75 innings pitched. With an xERA of 3.37 it'd appear that positive regression is likely for the lefty in his remaining starts this season. Fantasy managers looking for a late season find may want to consider adding Herz to their roster. The 23-year-old will look to continue improving in his next scheduled start on Thursday against the Miami Marlins. Herz previously faced the Marlins in June and struck out 13 in six innings. Fantasy managers and DFS managers should both target Herz for his start against Miami.
0 hour ago   
CJ Abrams  • SS  •  Nationals

CJ Abrams Back In Leadoff Spot For Game 1 On Saturday

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams will return to the leadoff spot for the team in Game 1 of their doubleheader on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander Luis L. Ortiz at PNC Park. Abrams got the day off in the series opener at PNC Park on Thursday before Friday's contest was postponed due to inclement weather. Fantasy managers in all formats may want to keep the 23-year-old on the bench on Saturday given the way he's struggled lately. Abrams has one hit in 10 at-bats in three games to begin the month and has gone 2-for-26 (.077) with a walk and six strikeouts in his last seven games since Aug. 26. He's still had a dynamic year in 2024 with 18 home runs, 62 RBI and 28 stolen bases, but there's no secret Abrams is scuffling right now. He has never faced Ortiz in his career as he looks to get out of his funk during a doubleheader on Saturday.
7 hours ago   
MacKenzie Gore  • SP  •  Nationals

MacKenzie Gore Strikes Out Nine In Quality Start

Washington Nationals starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore tossed six innings of one-hit ball in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Marlins, allowing just one run and one walk while striking out nine batters, but did not factor into the decision. It marked the third consecutive quality start for the 25-year-old after collecting just five quality starts over his first 25 games. The southpaw lowered his ERA on the season to 4.32, although his FIP (3.56) and xFIP (3.90) suggest he's been better than that. The former third-overall draft pick also has a 1.50 WHIP and 15.4% K-BB% for the year. His next start will come at home against Atlanta next Tuesday. He's faced the Braves three times this year, dominating them for a 1.65 ERA over three starts, allowing three earned runs on 19 hits and one walk while striking out 21 in 16 1/3 innings pitched.
2 days ago   
Patrick Corbin  • SP  •  Nationals

Patrick Corbin Fans Eight In Tuesday's Win

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Patrick Corbin took advantage of a favorable matchup in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Marlins. Corbin pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and three walks with eight strikeouts. The 35-year-old veteran has put together a modest three-game win streak in which he has allowed three total runs in 17 2/3 IP with 22 strikeouts. However, he still owns a poor 5-12 record on the season with a 5.41 ERA, a 1.52 WHIP, and a 7.12 K/9 rate in 28 starts and 153 IP. His next start will be another favorable one at the Pirates, but fantasy managers may want to avoid starting him given his low floor.
3 days ago   
Dylan Crews  • CF  •  Nationals

Dylan Crews Leading Off Again On Saturday

Washington Nationals outfield prospect Dylan Crews is once again in the leadoff spot as the Nationals continue a three-game set against the Chicago Cubs. The Nationals have slotted their former second-overall pick to the top of the lineup in each of the past three games. In his first two games at the big league level, he batted in the two and the seven-hole. The LSU product has tallied a hit in all but one of his first four big league games and sits with an overall .313/.353/.813 line. He has gone deep twice and swiped one bag. Fantasy managers should check their waiver wire to make sure Crews is not available, as he is shaping up to be a league-winner down the stretch. DFS players should consider putting the 22-year-old into their lineup as he will face Chicago right-hander Javier Assad, who allowed six hits and three earned runs in his previous start.
7 days ago   
James Wood  • CF  •  Nationals

James Wood Swipes Three Bags On Wednesday

Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood went 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Yankees, but his most impressive feat was that he stole three bases in the contest. The 21-year-old now has 11 steals on the season through 51 games played, and while he's been streaky with the bat, overall he's been solid, slashing .280/.377/.430 with a .355 wOBA and a 130 wRC+. He could be a difference-maker in the fantasy playoffs and is still available in more than 25% of Yahoo leagues. Either way, the Nationals' outlook is bright in the outfield with Wood and Dylan Crews looking like future fantasy superstars.
Aug 29   
Dylan Crews  • CF  •  Nationals

Dylan Crews Crushes First Major-League Home Run

Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews crushed his first major-league home run in Wednesday night's win over the visiting New York Yankees at Nationals Park, propelling the team to a series victory. Crews launched a solo home run to left-center for his first career home run in the majors to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead in the first inning, later rocketing a double to the gap in left-center to bring home Jacob Young and give the Nats a 5-1 lead in the fourth frame. The 22-year-old top prospect is flashing five-category tendencies during the infant stages of his big-league career, going 4-for-11 with two runs scored and a stolen base in three games, and Crews should be rostered for this upside in the majority of fantasy leagues down the stretch.
Aug 29   
CJ Abrams  • SS  •  Nationals

CJ Abrams Resting Against Yankees

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams will get the day off on Wednesday versus the New York Yankees at Nationals Park. Nasim Nunez will get the nod at the 6 and will bat ninth, while rookie outfielder Dylan Crews will play right field and be moved up to the leadoff spot against Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon. Abrams is getting a day to clear his head after going hitless in eight at-bats with two strikeouts in the first two games of the series against the Bombers. The 23-year-old has actually hit better against lefties (.287 in 170 plate appearances), but he has only four of his 18 homers on the year against southpaws and could use a blow. Abrams has also gone 8-for-49 (.163) with a homer, three RBI and 17 K's in 13 games since Aug. 14. Crews will be playing in his third MLB game after debuting on Monday. He picked up his first big-league hit on Tuesday with a two-hit performance.
Aug 28   
Dylan Crews  • CF  •  Nationals

Dylan Crews Records First MLB Hit

Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews made his long-awaited MLB debut on Monday but didn't record his first hit until Tuesday, when his team beat the New York Yankees 4-2. He went 2-for-4 with a double and a run. Crews is currently ranked as the third-best prospect in baseball (MLB Pipeline), and his call-up has been expected for a few weeks now. The 22-year-old has tremendous potential and power that can immediately impact ball games. Crews has a ton of fantasy upside and should be added in all formats, as he is rostered only in 35% of Yahoo fantasy leagues.
Aug 28   
Patrick Corbin  • SP  •  Nationals

Patrick Corbin Shuts Down Yankees In Tuesday's Win

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Patrick Corbin improved to 4-12 on Tuesday, pitching a gem against a tough Yankees lineup in a 4-2 win. Corbin pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and two walks with six strikeouts. The 35-year-old veteran has strung together two consecutive quality starts, but his overall season numbers are still poor with a 5.50 ERA, a 6.90 K/9 rate, and a 2.93 BB/9 rate in 27 starts and 147 1/3 IP. His next start will be a much more favorable matchup at the Marlins. Even so, fantasy managers may not want to trust Corbin so close to fantasy playoffs.
Aug 28   
Joey Gallo  • 1B  •  Nationals

Joey Gallo In Nationals Lineup

First baseman/designated hitter Joey Gallo is in the lineup for the Washington Nationals against the New York Yankees on Tuesday, starting at first base and batting eighth in the order against right-hander Gerrit Cole. Gallo is hitting .165/.285/.310 with five homers, 12 RBI, and 18 runs scored in 52 games with the Nationals. He has struck out 78 times in 158 at-bats and has not homered since June 3. Not even the deepest fantasy leagues can justify having Gallo on a roster. At this point, it appears his days as a major-leaguer are winding down. You'll also want to avoid him in DFS against strikeout artist Cole.
Aug 27   
Jacob Young  • CF  •  Nationals

Jacob Young Hits Solo Homer Monday

Washington Nationals outfielder Jacob Young continued his strong offensive August in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Yankees. Young went 2-for-3 with a double and a solo home run. The 25-year-old launched an eighth-inning Mark Leiter Jr. offering into the left-field bullpen for the Nationals' second run of the game. Young has only hit three HR this season, but two of them have come in August to go with a .282/.313/.436 slash line, eight RBI, and four stolen bases in 78 at-bats. Young may not offer much in terms of counting stats other than stolen bases, but he is just 14 percent rostered, so he is available in deep roto leagues for fantasy managers looking for an overall boost.
Aug 27   
Dylan Crews  • CF  •  Nationals

Dylan Crews Hitting Second In MLB Debut

Washington Nationals outfield prospect Dylan Crews is starting in right field and is batting second against the New York Yankees and left-hander Nestor Cortes in his major-league debut on Monday night at Nationals Park. As expected, Crews was called up from Triple-A Rochester on Monday to make his MLB debut against the Bronx Bombers. The 22-year-old former second overall pick last year out of LSU hit a combined .270/.342/.451 with 13 home runs and 25 stolen bases with Double-A Harrisburg and Rochester this year to earn his first big-league promotion. Crews figures to be here to stay and should see regular playing time to close out the 2024 season with the Nats out of playoff contention. The club's top prospect and No. 3 in baseball, per MLB Pipeline, has the ability to contribute across all categories and should already be rostered in all fantasy formats.
Aug 26   
Alex Call  • LF  •  Nationals

Alex Call Carted Off With Apparent Leg Injury

Washington Nationals outfielder Alex Call (leg) was carted off during Friday night's game against the Atlanta Braves. Call was charging in on a shallow fly ball and fell onto the ground after a non-contact injury during the bottom of the second inning. The 29-year-old wasn't able to stand on his foot and was hopping to get to the cart. Call was replaced by Joey Gallo in right field after the injury. The team hasn't stated the severity of his injury and until then he should be considered day-to-day, however it should be anticipated he will miss more time given this was a non-contact injury. The righty had been having a fantastic 2024 season, hitting for a 175 OPS+ in 98 AB with most of his playing time coming in August after spending most of the year in the minors. Jacob Young should be a likely replacement for Call in the outfield, though Young is not a viable fantasy option in any format at this time.
Aug 24   
Luis García Jr.  • 2B  •  Nationals  |  CJ Abrams  • SS  •  Nationals

CJ Abrams, Luis Garcia Jr. Both Out Against A Lefty

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams and second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. are both retreating to the bench on Friday against the division-rival Atlanta Braves at Truist Park with Braves All-Star left-hander Chris Sale toeing the rubber. Nasim Nunez will man shortstop and hit ninth, while Ildemaro Vargas will start at the keystone and bat sixth against Sale. DFS managers will probably want to avoid both Nunez and Vargas as low-cost deep sleepers in this matchup. Abrams has been a first-time All-Star in 2024 actually has had versus splits; he's hitting .291 (44-for-151) against southpaws this year, although only four of his 18 home runs have come against them. Garcia, meanwhile, is hitting .262 (22-for-84) against lefties but has yet to go deep against them this year. Garcia is also having a breakout campaign, already setting career-highs in homers (15), RBI (63) and steals (20) in 112 games.
Aug 23   
Dylan Crews  • CF  •  Nationals

Dylan Crews Expected To Make MLB Debut On Monday

Washington Nationals top prospect Dylan Crews is expected to be called up from Triple-A Rochester to make his major-league debut on Monday at Nationals Park against the New York Yankees. Crews and James Wood will finally be in the big leagues together for the first time and will be opposed by Aaron Judge and Juan Soto in D.C. Crews, the second overall pick in 2023 out of LSU, hit a combined .272/.343/.456 with a .799 OPS, 13 home runs, 68 RBI and 25 stolen bases in 99 games with Double-A Harrisburg and Rochester. The 22-year-old outfielder should play regularly for the out-of-contention Nationals and has the ability to contribute immediately in all fantasy formats across multiple categories. Per MLB Pipeline, Crews is ranked as the third-best prospect in all of baseball, behind only Jackson Holliday and Junior Caminero. Pick him up immediately off the waiver wire if he's available.
Aug 23   
Patrick Corbin  • SP  •  Nationals

Patrick Corbin Shows Up In Victory

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Patrick Corbin earned his seventh quality start of the season on Thursday versus the Colorado Rockies. The veteran earned it by going six innings with four hits, one run, one walk and eight strikeouts. The veteran has been a rollercoaster all season and is now 3-12 with an ugly 5.73 ERA in 26 starts. Next up for the left-hander will be a date against the New York Yankees on Tuesday. Corbin should be avoided in that matchup and in general moving forward with his inconsistencies on the mound.
Aug 23   
Juan Yepez  • 1B  •  Nationals

Juan Yepez Goes Yard

Washington Nationals first baseman Juan Yepez went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Thursday's victory versus the Colorado Rockies. His home run came in the bottom of the eighth inning, adding some insurance runs for the Nationals late in the ballgame. Yepez burst onto the scene with a smoking hot bat when he was promoted from Triple-A Rochester in early July, but has since cooled off significantly lately. Over the last month, he is now hitting .224 with three home runs and 14 RBI. With his recent struggles, Yepez can safely remain on the waiver wire moving forward. Yepez will look to keep the momentum going on Friday when the Nationals square off against Chris Sale and the Atlanta Braves.
Aug 23   
Luis García Jr.  • 2B  •  Nationals

Luis Garcia Jr. Stays Hot With 15th Homer

Washington Nationals second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. belted his 15th home run of the season with three RBI in Wednesday night's win over the visiting Colorado Rockies at Nationals Park. Garcia hammered a three-run shot off Rockies right-hander Tanner Gordon to right-center field in Wednesday's victory over Colorado, making the score 5-0 Nationals in the third inning. The 24-year-old infielder has evolved into a difference-making pickup for fantasy managers since July 3, batting .368 (50-for-136) with eight homers, 26 RBI, and 22 runs scored in his last 37 games as Washington's everyday second baseman.
Aug 22   
Drew Millas  • C  •  Nationals

Drew Millas Mashing In August

Washington Nationals catcher prospect Drew Millas went 2-for-4 with a solo home run on Tuesday for Triple-A Rochester. Millas has performed rather well through 11 games in August, slashing .256/.356/.590 with seven extra-base hits and two stolen bases. In 57 games in Triple-A this season, he's slashing .300/.351/.517 with 12 doubles, nine homers, 33 RBI, nine steals, and 17:32 BB/SO. Millas has spent a few brief stints with the Nationals this season, yet the results have been underwhelming. Despite this, Millas' Triple-A performance suggests he could be a solid big-league backstop.
Aug 21   
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