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April 25: 3B Nick Senzel (stomach illness) scratched
Senzel was replaced in the starting lineup by utility player Ildemaro Vargas an hour before Thursday’s game. Senzel had returned from missing 15 games because of a fractured left thumb on April 15.

April 25: C Keibert Ruiz reinstated from 10-day IL; C Drew Millas optioned to Triple-A Rochester
Ruiz missed 13 games because of influenza. He completed a rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg and returned to the Nationals' starting lineup on Thursday. Millas, ranked as the Nats' No. 19 prospect by MLB Pipeline, played in one game during his second Major League stint of the season.

April 24: RF Lane Thomas (left knee sprain) placed on 10-day IL; INF Trey Lipscomb recalled from Triple-A Rochester
An MRI taken Wednesday revealed Thomas sustained a sprain of the left MCL when he avoided a tag stealing second base on Tuesday night against the Dodgers. The Nationals called up Lipscomb, ranked as their No. 16 prospect by MLB Pipeline, from the Red Wings on Wednesday afternoon.

The Nationals will have to address the starting right-field role. Thomas has hit .184 with two home runs and 11 stolen bases (third among all players) in 22 games this season.

Lipscomb made his big league debut with the Nats on March 30. In 14 games at the Major League level this season, Lipscomb batted .224 with one home run, four RBIs and four stolen bases.

April 23: RHP Jacob Barnes recalled from Triple-A Rochester; LHP Robert Garcia placed on 15-day IL; INF Jake Alu designated for assignment
Barnes was called up to the Nationals after a standout performance in Spring Training. The veteran reliever had recorded 10 strikeouts to one hit and two walks in eight scoreless innings with the Red Wings this season.

“We have a couple lefties that could help us, but he was really throwing the ball really well,” said manager Dave Martinez. “Hopefully, he continues that here and he can help us in situations that we need him to help us. But when a guy’s doing that well, he deserves to be up here.”

Garcia was placed on the IL with influenza on Tuesday, retroactive to Sunday. To clear space on the 40-man roster, Alu was DFA’d. He debuted with the Nats last season and appeared in 51 games (.226 batting average, two home runs, 16 RBIs).

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10-day/15-day injured list

RHP Josiah Gray (right elbow/forearm flexor strain)
Expected return: May
Gray has played catch up to 75 feet, and the Nationals hope he will be able to throw off the mound during their road series in Texas from April 30 to May 2. 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: April 25)

LHP Robert Garcia (influenza)
Expected return: May
Garcia was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 23, retroactive to April 21. The Nationals are considering having him throw a sim game on the road trip to Miami and Texas from April 26 to May 2. He is 0-1 with a 6.48 ERA in 8 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. (Last updated: April 25)

RF Lane Thomas (left MCL sprain)
Expected return: May
Thomas 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: April 24)

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)

OF Victor Robles (left hamstring strain)
Expected Return: May
Robles will travel with the team as he continues rehabbing from his left hamstring strain, which he sustained running from first to third on April 3. He is throwing and hitting without pain and has regained a full range of motion. Manager Dave Martinez hopes the outfielder will begin running drills soon.

“Hopefully once we get past that stage and he starts doing some sprints, we can send him out on rehab assignment,” Martinez said.

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 this latest setback. (Last updated: April 21)

60-day IL

RHP Cade Cavalli (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Mid-2024
Cavalli threw a 60-pitch bullpen session at the Nationals' spring complex in West Palm Beach, Fla. His velocity reached 96 mph. (Last updated: April 23)

LHP Jose A. Ferrer (teres major strain)
Expected return: First half of season
Ferrer continues his strength and conditioning and is doing plyometrics and towel drills to emulate his throwing. He was shut down from throwing for four to six weeks during Spring Training after experiencing discomfort while extending his throwing arm and was placed on the 60-day IL on March 24. (Last updated: April 19)

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)

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