Injuries & Moves: García (left wrist soreness) exits vs. Blue Jays
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May 5: INF Luis García Jr. (left wrist soreness) exits vs. Blue Jays
García left the game after experiencing soreness in his left wrist during the Nationals’ 11-8 win over the Blue Jays on Sunday. In the bottom of the sixth, García singled and attempted to stretch his hit to second base, where he hurt his wrist on an awkward slide. Ildemaro Vargas pinch-hit for him in the bottom of the eighth as manager Dave Martinez wanted to have his wrist looked at. García went 4-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs against the Blue Jays.
May 5: OF Jacob Young returns to lineup
Young was back in the lineup at the leadoff spot Sunday after experiencing back spasms during the Nationals’ 9-3 win over the Blue Jays on Friday. Entering Sunday's game, the center fielder had a .732 OPS in 25 games this season.
May 3: OF Victor Robles progressing in rehab, expected to play CF and RF in return
Robles (left hamstring strain) “looks like he’s running really well” in his rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester, manager Dave Martinez said. Agility is a key aspect of the athletic outfielder’s return from injury. When Robles is cleared to rejoin the Nationals, Martinez expects the two-time Gold Glove Award finalist to play right field in addition to his traditional center field role.
“Jacob Young is playing really well [in center field],” said Martinez. “So I kind of wanted to keep him in there. But the beauty of having Vic is that we can give Jacob a day off and play him center field, but Vic could also play some right field as well. For me, that’s a really good problem to have -- to have two guys who can go get the baseball like that.”
May 3: 1B/DH/OF Joey Gallo, LHP Robert Garcia to begin rehab assignments
Gallo (left shoulder AC sprain) and Garcia (influenza) will play with Single-A Fredericksburg on Saturday. Gallo has been on the IL since April 27, while Garcia has been sidelined since April 23, retroactive to April 21. The goal for Garcia is to pitch one-plus innings.
10-day/15-day injured list
RHP Josiah Gray (right elbow/forearm flexor strain)
Expected return: May
Gray threw his scheduled bullpen session (30-35 pitches) on May 4. Manager Dave Martinez said Gray felt fine after the workout, and he is slated to throw another on May 7 or 8. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 6, after an MRI revealed a right elbow/forearm flexor strain before his scheduled April 9 start against the Giants. He is 0-2 with a 14.04 ERA in two starts this season. (Last updated: May 4)
OF Victor Robles (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: May
Robles is on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Rochester, playing DH and center field. Manager Dave Martinez said on May 3, “It looks like he’s running really well.”
Robles had returned to full health in Spring Training after back spasms limited him to just 36 games last season. He was poised for a bounce-back season before the hamstring injury, which he sustained on April 3. (Last updated: May 3)
1B/DH Joey Gallo (left shoulder AC sprain)
Expected return: TBD
Gallo will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Fredericksburg on May 4. Washington placed Gallo on the IL on April 27, after he tried to play through the shoulder injury for a week. Gallo injured his shoulder making a diving play. (Last updated: May 3)
LHP Robert Garcia (influenza)
Expected return: May
Garcia will begin a rehab assignment on May 4 with Single-A Fredericksburg. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 23, retroactive to April 21. Garcia is 0-1 with a 6.48 ERA in 8 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. (Last updated: May 3)
RF Lane Thomas (left MCL sprain)
Expected return: May
Thomas took dry swings on May 2, and he will continue building up strength in his knee. He was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 24, the day after he avoided a tag while stealing second base vs. the Dodgers. Thomas has been the Nationals' starting right fielder, and he was batting .184 with 11 stolen bases this season. (Last updated: May 3)
OF Stone Garrett (fractured left fibula)
Expected return: First half of season
Garrett has progressed to a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester. He suffered a fractured left fibula last August after crashing into the right-field wall at Yankee Stadium. (Last updated: April 24)
60-day IL
RHP Cade Cavalli (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Mid-2024
Cavalli is progressing and facing live hitters. There is a possibility he will throw his next bullpen session on May 2. The righty and the Nationals are eyeing mid-May for the start of his rehab assignment. While with the team in Miami on April 26, Cavalli said he feels "normal" and that the ball is coming out of his hand the same as prior to his injury. He's hopeful that he will be back in Major League action within the next two months. (Last updated: April 30)
LHP Jose A. Ferrer (teres major strain)
Expected return: First half of season
Ferrer is throwing at 60 feet. Ferrer continues his strength and conditioning and is doing plyometrics and towel drills to emulate his throwing. He experienced discomfort while extending his throwing arm during Spring Training and was placed on the 60-day IL on March 24.(Last updated: April 30)
RHP Mason Thompson (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Thompson, 26, underwent his second Tommy John surgery on March 1 after previously undergoing the procedure in high school. He was placed on the 60-day IL on March 24. (Last updated: March 24)