Wood placed on IL with mild oblique strain; OF Pinckney promoted

PHILADELPHIA -- Nationals outfielder James Wood is heading to the injured list for the first time in his big league career.

After exiting Monday's 6-3 loss to the Phillies experiencing discomfort on a swing, the two-time All-Star underwent an MRI exam on Tuesday that revealed the injury.

“It showed a subtle, mild oblique strain on the left side,” manager Blake Butera said. “We think it won’t be very extreme. But we do think it will take at least the 10 days, which is why we’re IL-ing him.”

Wood, 23, had appeared in all of the Nationals’ 114 games this season. He also appeared in all but five games last year.

“Obviously, it's not what you want to hear,” Wood said. “But I feel like I’m in good hands here. Hopefully, once we get off [the IL], we'll be in better shape.”

The Nationals are hoping for a relatively brief IL stint for Wood, who is a driving force in their league-leading offense. He ranks first in the Majors in runs scored (100) and walks (90).

“I was actually pretty happy [with the diagnosis],” said Butera. “Anytime someone feels their side on a swing, I haven’t been around many where the results came back this good. There’s been some obliques that people have missed 3-4 months because of these things.

“It’s really tough, too, because you feel it with any type of rotation -- and everything we do in this sport is rotation. So the fact I heard the doctor had to really look for it to find it is a good thing.”

Wood felt the discomfort on the final pitch of his seventh-inning at-bat against left-hander Kyle Backhus, which resulted in a ground out to first base. Wood initially remained in the game, but he was replaced by Dylan Crews in the bottom of the eighth.

“It didn't feel right,” said Wood. “Then I went out and played defense and throwing felt fine, running felt fine. But I just took a couple swings after to just see where I was at, if I felt good to keep playing, and I just wasn't really comfortable doing that.”

Wood hasn't been sidelined since he dealt with right hamstring tightness with Triple-A Rochester in June 2024, a month before he was called up to the Major Leagues.

“I'll be spectating a little bit,” Wood said. “[I can learn] more ways to take care of my body. Obviously, you play a lot of games in the Minor Leagues, but 162 is a little bit different. I'm still fairly new to that part, so there's still a lot I’ve got left to learn.”

Wood’s absence is magnified by the departures at the Trade Deadline. The Nationals traded away two of their top offensive producers in Luis García Jr. and Curtis Mead.

“It’s not easy [without them],” said Butera. “But we’ve also had some other guys in our lineup that have swung the bats well and have gotten us to this point with how well our offense has played. … Hopefully, this is a short-term thing with James. But at least over the next 10 days, it’s an opportunity for other guys to step up. We need to have the next-man-up mentality.”

The Nationals called up outfielder Andrew Pinckney for his Major League debut in a corresponding move. Pinckney, 25, is a former top-30 ranked prospect who was invited to Nationals Major League Spring Training this year. In 94 games with Rochester this season, Pinckney was slashing .271/.345/.425, alongside 11 doubles, 13 home runs, 51 RBIs and 18 stolen bases.

“Personality-wise, he’s one of the greatest kids I’ve had the chance to meet and get to know a little bit,” Butera said. “I’m excited to get to know him more. Just seeing what he’s able to do on the baseball field is pretty special. He’s able to do some things that not many in this game are able to do because of the type of athlete he is. Now it’s going to be about consistency and if he can put it all together.”