Injuries & Moves: Nats agree to terms with Vargas for 2024
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Sept. 27: UTIL Ildemaro Vargas agrees to terms on contract for 2024 season
Vargas, 32, will return in 2024 for his third season with the Nationals. The veteran utility infielder played third base, second base, shortstop, left field, right field and pitcher this season. Of the positions, he saw the most time at the hot corner (43 games). The Nats do not have a starting third baseman locked in for next season. Vargas is hitting .248 with 12 doubles and 31 RBIs in 83 games entering Wednesday.
Sept. 22: RHP Jake Irvin placed on 15-day IL (right ankle tendinitis); LHP Joe La Sorsa recalled from Triple-A
Irvin was placed on the injured list on Friday after making his 24th start of his rookie season. He allowed five runs off seven hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings against the Braves on Thursday.
La Sorsa is 1-0 with a 5.33 ERA in 20 relief appearances (25 1/3 innings) with the Nats this season.
INJURY UPDATES
10-day and 15-day IL
RHP Jake Irvin (right ankle tendinitis)
Expected return: 2024
Irvin was placed on the 15-day IL on Sept. 22, the day after giving up five runs off seven hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings vs. the Braves on Sept. 21. He went 3-7 with a 4.61 ERA across 24 starts (121 innings) in his rookie year. (Last updated: Sept. 22)
LHP MacKenzie Gore (left middle finger blisters)
Expected return: 2024
Gore is dealing with multiple blisters on his left middle finger and will not pitch again this season. The blisters cut Gore’s last outing short after four innings in an 8-5 loss to the Dodgers on Sept. 8. He was placed on the 15-day IL on Sept. 9. (Last updated: Sept. 20)
OF Travis Blankenhorn (plantar fasciitis)
Expected return: 2024
Blankenhorn noted discomfort on Sept. 14 in Pittsburgh. He was placed on the IL on Sept. 19 (retroactive to Sept. 16).
"We decided to just shut him down. He was hurting pretty good," manager Dave Martinez said. (Last updated: Sept. 19)
C Riley Adams (broken left hamate bone)
Expected return: 2024
Adams suffered a broken left hamate bone on Sept. 6 after fouling off a pitch. He will undergo surgery on Sept. 11. Adams said he was disappointed his season had to end this way.
“There’s never a good time to be hurt,” Adams said. “But now I’m not rushing to try to get back. I’m not trying to potentially bring more injury in by being too quick. I can take my time. I don’t see this really affecting much of the offseason plan and the work I’m going to do to get ready for next year. All in all, for timing, it’s certainly not the worst. But obviously, I would’ve liked to have a few more weeks to finish the year stronger.” (Last updated: Sept. 8)
60-day IL
RHP Tanner Rainey (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Potentially September
Rainey, who underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2022, is scheduled to throw a sim game this week at Nationals Park. There is no time frame for his return this season, but the Nationals’ goal is for him to be healthy for Spring Training. (Last updated: Sept. 20)
RHP Cade Cavalli (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
After undergoing Tommy John surgery in March, Cavalli (ranked as the Nationals' No. 4 prospect by MLB Pipeline) played catch for the first time on Sept. 19. His goal is to return to the mound in June next season. (Last updated: Sept. 19)
CF Victor Robles (lumbar spine back spasms)
Expected return: TBD
Robles continues to work on strength and conditioning with the team as he recovers from back spasms. Martinez does not believe Robles will be able to play in any of the remaining games this season, but he could get extensive at-bats in winter ball. This is Robles' second stint on the IL because of back spasms this season. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on July 26. (Last updated: Sept. 8)
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. (stress fracture in right scapula)
Expected return: TBD
The Nationals decided to shut down the right-hander indefinitely after he did not feel right when throwing for High-A Wilmington on Aug. 19. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on Aug. 28.
“I don’t know how long it’s going to take, but he is going to be out for a while,” Martinez said on Aug. 23.
Edwards went on the IL on June 21 with inflammation in his right shoulder. (Last updated: Aug. 28)
OF Stone Garrett (fractured left fibula)
Expected return: TBD
Garrett fractured his left fibula on Aug. 23 after twisting his leg awkwardly while trying to climb the wall at Yankee Stadium in an attempt to track down a DJ LeMahieu home run. Garrett fell to the ground and stayed there until help arrived. He was eventually carted off the field in tears.
Garrett returned to D.C., where he had surgery on Aug. 25. Manager Dave Martinez said Garrett will not be able to put any weight on the leg for at least six weeks. (Last updated: Aug. 26)
RHP Stephen Strasburg (thoracic outlet syndrome)
Expected return: TBD
Strasburg is planning to retire from baseball, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. (The club has not confirmed the report.) The 2019 World Series MVP, who was recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in 2021, had been shut down from baseball activities after experiencing discomfort.
Strasburg has not pitched since June 9, 2022, when he made his only appearance of the season for Washington. (Last updated: Aug. 25)