Washington Nationals Roster
- NL East
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Washington Nationals closer Tanner Rainey picked up his eighth save of the season in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Orioles. Rainey entered to pitch the ninth inning with a three-run lead. He struck the first two hitters out, allowed a single, and got the final out on a lineout. Rainey has pitched well overall this season, compiling a 3.27 ERA, 11.45 K/9 rate, and 3.27 BB/9 rate with three blown saves. The Nationals likely won't have a ton of save opportunities, which limits Rainey's fantasy value, but his solid job security makes him a worthwhile option in roto leagues.
The Washington Nationals reinstated infielder Alcides Escobar (hamstring) from the injured list. The veteran infielder is batting .220 with a .264 on-base percentage and a stolen base in 118 plate appearances in his second season with the Nationals. Capable of playing shortstop, second base, and third base, Escobar will give Washington another infield option alongside Cesar Hernandez, Luis Garcia, Maikel Franco, and Ehire Adrianza.
Washington Nationals infielder Luis Garcia is having a great start to his 2022 season and kept that up on Sunday when his club defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 9-3. He went 3-for-4 with a double and three runs. Garcia didn't have much success during his debut 2021 campaign (.686 OPS), but over 19 games this year, Garcia's batting .360 with two home runs, 10 RBI, and nine runs. The former top prospect isn't a must-add, but he has enough power and hitting potential to take a chance on in deeper leagues.
Washington Nationals pitcher Josiah Gray allowed one hit and three walks while striking out four across six scoreless innings in Saturday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. He did not factor into the decision. The 24-year-old wasn't efficient and needed 117 pitches to reach six innings on Saturday, only landing 66 for strikes. He has pitched well over his last four starts, posting a 0.82 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 22:11 K: BB across 22 innings. Gray owns a 3.95 ERA, 1,26 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts over 68 1/3 innings in 2022. Fantasy managers should add Gray in all league formats while he's pitching well, and he can be used as a streamer in his next start Friday on the road against the Texas Rangers.
Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto (knee) is starting in right field and is batting third against Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler on Thursday. Soto was taken out of Monday's game early due to right knee soreness after he bumped it on the dugout bench, but he's back in the lineup and needs to be returned to all starting fantasy lineups in single-season formats. The 23-year-old is a must-start asset, but he hasn't been that good in June so far, going 8-for-43 (.186) with four home runs, 12 RBI, 10 walks and 11 strikeouts in 12 games. The power has been there (13 round-trippers) and he continues to get on base at a strong clip (.378 on-base percentage), but he's hitting just .228 in 224 at-bats in 2022.
