Who's on first? García makes positional debut as Nats eye 2026

ATLANTA -- For his 600th Major League game, Luis García Jr. played first base for the first time in his six-year career.

The Nationals have been interested in seeing how the starting second baseman could perform at the corner-infield spot. The 25-year-old García participated in pregame fielding drills this season leading up to the positional debut on Tuesday night at Truist Park.

“We just want to see if he can play first,” interim manager Miguel Cairo said before the Nationals’ 3-2 loss to the Braves. “He's been practicing there. It would be good for him because he would be more versatile. ... The more positions you get to play, the better you’re going to be anywhere.”

García has played 505 games at second base and 70 games at shortstop, including 120 starts at second this season. He felt nervous the first three innings, then settled in. Looking back, his favorite plays were throws made close to his chest.

“It’s a different position, different bases. The angle is what makes the difference,” García said, adding, “I was trying to stop the ball, keep the ball right in front of me and make the play. All the plays that were thrown at me, I felt good.”

Wearing Andrés Chaparro’s glove, García recorded 11 putouts at first base, including all three outs in Brad Lord’s 1-2-3 fourth inning.

“It was awesome,” Lord said. “I looked over there and I’m like, he’s my guy. 'I’m going to get you some ground balls and we’re going to have a lot of fun.'”

Cairo, who logged 971 2/3 innings at first base during his 17-year-career, believes that García has the skills to succeed there. He noted the most challenging plays are ground balls hit to García’s right side, which Cairo said García did “pretty good” fielding. He also gave kudos to García’s scoops and described him as looking “natural” at first.

“If you play second or shortstop, I think you're an athlete,” Cairo said. “And I know he's an athlete. He’s just got to learn where he’s got to be. Of course, it’s going to be a little change because it’s different -- the relay, cut-off, the bunt situation -- but I think he’s just going to be fine.”

García is the seventh Nationals player to man first base this season, joining Nathaniel Lowe (115 games before being designated for assignment on Aug. 14), Josh Bell (30 games), Chaparro (26) and one each by Paul DeJong, catcher Riley Adams and Trey Lipscomb.

“He looks good out there,” left fielder James Wood said. “His hands are great. I have no doubt that he could be great over there.”

Looking ahead, the Nats will need to address the starting first-base role this offseason. Veterans Bell and DeJong are on expiring, one-year deals, and Chaparro likely will have to contend again for a roster spot in Spring Training.

An option could be shifting García, who does not become a free agent until 2028, to first base in ‘26. If the Nationals did that, they could give Nasim Nuñez -- who has had a breakout month -- an extended look at second base.

In Washington’s Minor League system, No. 18 prospect Yohandy Morales is projected to make his Major League debut next season.

“Of course, I want to see Nas play, too, but we already talked about giving a couple games to Luis at first just to see if he can do it,” Cairo said. “After that, it will be the offseason. We’re going to make a decision about what is going to be next, and we’ll go from there.”