Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Starting Game 2 of twin bill
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Parker will start the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox.
This won't disrupt Parker's routine, as he was already scheduled to take the mound Tuesday. He'll get the ball for the nightcap after Trevor Williams toes the rubber in Game 1.
Williams and the Nationals won't play Monday against the White Sox after the game was postponed due to inclement weather in Chicago, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Tuesday. Williams' next start will simply be pushed back a day to one half of the twin bill, and the White Sox will do the same with their scheduled starter for Monday, Chris Flexen.
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Nationals' Joey Gallo: On track to return this weekend
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Gallo (shoulder) is on track to be activated from the injured list for the weekend series in Philadelphia, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Gallo will play first base on back-to-back days with Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday and Wednesday and that's expected to be the final hurdle he needs to clear on his rehab assignment. While the Nationals are expected to have Gallo available later this week, it's uncertain how much he will play once activated.
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Nationals' Jesse Winker: Sitting out with back spasms
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Winker (back) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Winker was removed from Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Red Sox with back spasms. He's feeling better Monday, but isn't well enough to start just yet. Winker dealt with back problems for a chunk of last season while he was with the Brewers, but his current back issue is considered unrelated. Nick Senzel will serve as the Nationals' designated hitter while Winker recovers.
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Nationals' Victor Robles: Tough day in Sunday's loss
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Robles went 0-for-3 and committed an error in Sunday's loss to the Red Sox.
Getting the start in center field and batting ninth, Robles' fielding error in the second inning led to a three-run inning for Boston that proved to be the difference in a 3-2 loss. The 26-year-old outfielder also made a baserunning gaffe in the third, as he attempted to go from first to third on a single even though third base was already occupied by Riley Adams. Robles has started three straight games since coming off the IL, but his job security was low even before Sunday's performance. With Joey Gallo (shoulder) closing in on a return from the IL, Robles figures to find himself on the bench in a short-side platoon role.
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Nationals' Jesse Winker: Exits with back spasms
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Winker left Sunday's loss to the Red Sox in the sixth inning due to back spasms, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
The 30-year-old tried to play through the issue, but Winker's back flared up after he made a diving attempt to catch a sinking liner in the bottom of the fifth inning. Trey Lipscomb pinch hit for him in the sixth, with Ildemaro Vargas shifting from third base to left field defensively. Winker is slashing .235/.350/.386 through 38 games on the season with four homers, 18 RBI, 19 runs and a career-high four steals, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he got a day off Monday when the Nationals head to Chicago to face the White Sox and right-hander Chris Flexen.
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Nationals' Andry Lara: Moving up to Double-A
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The Nationals promoted Lara from High-A Wilmington to Double-A Harrisburg on Monday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
The 21-year-old righty from Venezuela spent the entire 2023 campaign with Wilmington but earned a quick promotion this season upon returning to the South Atlantic League. Over six starts with Wilmington spanning 30.2 innings, Lara compiled a 2.35 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 39:9 K:BB.
Rosario went 1-for-2 with two walks, a stolen base and a two-run home run during Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Red Sox.
The veteran outfielder produced the Nationals' only runs Sunday, taking Brayan Bello deep in the fourth frame. Rosario is on a tear, having swatted four home runs in his last six games while reaching base multiple times in seven consecutive contests. He has also produced three stolen bases during that stretch, tying his 2022 and 2023 totals.
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Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Fans nine in loss
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Gore (2-4) took the loss Sunday against Boston, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks across six innings. He struck out nine.
After being chased in three innings by the Blue Jays in his last start, Gore went six deep for the second time this season and notched a quality start. Each of the three runs scored by Boston came in the second as part of a two-hit, one-error frame. One of the runs came on a wild pitch by Gore, with Jarren Duran stealing home. Gore has fanned at least seven hitters in three of his last six starts and has 51 punchouts across 40.0 innings this season. Gore's tentatively scheduled for a start against the Phillies on Saturday.
Lipscomb is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.
Lipscomb had started each of the Nationals' last seven games, but he recorded just three hits in 20 at-bats with five walks against four strikeouts over that stretch. Since his April 24 promotion from Triple-A Rochester, Lipscomb is getting on base at a .370 clip over 15 games, but he isn't hitting for much power (.283 slugging percentage). He still looks to be the Nationals' primary third baseman for now, but Lipscomb could be at risk of losing out on some playing time if Washington wants to open up regular work for Joey Gallo (shoulder) when he likely returns from the 10-day injured list during the upcoming week.
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Nationals' Keibert Ruiz: Gets day off
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Ruiz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.
Ruiz will receive some routine maintenance for the day game after he started in each of the Nationals' last eight contests. Riley Adams will fill in for Ruiz behind the dish.
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Nationals' Jacob Young: Getting Sunday off
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Young is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.
Young will take a seat for the series finale after he went 2-for-17 with five walks, one double, one stolen base, three runs and one RBI while starting in each of Washington's last five games. Victor Robles will replace Young in center field while CJ Abrams takes over as Washington's leadoff hitter.
Nationals' Jake Irvin: Pitches well in no-decision
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Irvin did not factor into the decision Saturday in Boston, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks over seven innings. He struck out six.
It marks the first time in 32 career starts at the big-league level that Irvin completed seven innings. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to pick up a win for his efforts, as the right-hander departed with the game tied and then watched reliever Robert Garcia cough up a couple runs in the eighth inning. Irvin has permitted two or fewer runs in five of his last six outings, lowering his ERA to a season-low 3.55. His next projected start is a difficult one on the road versus the Phillies.
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Nationals' Victor Robles: Getting another start
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Robles is starting in right field and batting ninth Saturday in Boston.
He has started over Nick Senzel in back-to-back games against right-handed pitchers (both Senzel and Robles bat right-handed), which allows the Nationals to plug Jesse Winker in at designated hitter to improve the outfield defense. Robles returned Friday from a hamstring injury and went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base. At least until the Nationals promote James Wood, it looks like Robles will get to play a decent amount in the short term.
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Nationals' Nick Senzel: Sitting against another righty
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Senzel is out of Saturday's lineup against the Red Sox.
He will sit for a second day in a row with the Nationals facing a right-handed starting pitcher, and on both occasions Victor Robles has picked up the start in the outfield with Jesse Winker sliding to designated hitter. Senzel is hitting .214 with a 42.4 percent strikeout rate in 28 at-bats this month.
