Jesse Winker's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

The Washington Nationals are holding out second baseman Luis Garcia and outfielder Jesse Winker on Tuesday against the division-rival New York Mets with left-hander Sean Manaea on the mound in D.C. Ildemaro Vargas will start at the keystone and bat fifth, while Harold Ramirez will draw into the lineup at DH and bat third for the Nats. Also, top outfield prospect James Wood is making his second career start in left field and will hit sixth in the order. Garcia has hit just .180 (9-for-50) with none of his seven home runs this year against southpaws, but he's the teams regular second baseman against righties. Winker has had a bounce-back campaign with the Nats this year with nine home runs and 12 stolen bases in 81 games played. With Wood now in the fold in Washington, Winker should see more time as the DH.

Washington Nationals outfielder Jesse Winker (knee) said following Friday's game against the hosting Tampa Bay Rays that there's nothing wrong structurally with his knee, and he hopes he can play on Saturday. Winker injured his knee after his foot got caught in the outfield turf in the first inning and had to exit the contest early, walking off the field with a limp, but he appears to have dodged a significant injury. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day before he's re-evaluated ahead of Saturday's matchup against the Rays. It's been a resurgent season for the 30-year-old lefty-hitting slugger, who's slashing .260/.377/.412 with nine home runs, 36 RBI, 37 runs scored, and a career-high 12 stolen bases through 250 at-bats as Washington's primary left fielder. If the rebuilding Nats opt to put Winker, a potential trade chip at July's deadline, on the injured list, a clearer pathway to playing time would emerge for incoming top prospect James Wood.

Washington Nationals outfielder Jesse Winker (cramps) has returned to the starting lineup on Monday to play the opening game of a four-game set against the division-rival Atlanta Braves. Winker left Saturday's game early and was kept out of the lineup on Sunday due to cramping. However, this injury did not seem serious and the 30-year-old is already back in the lineup. Winker will serve as the designated hitter this afternoon and bat in the six-hole, which opens up left field for Eddie Rosario, who will bat cleanup. Winker has looked much better through his first 49 games as a National compared to the previous two seasons. He currently holds a .228/.345/.395 slash line with six home runs and could be a value play in DFS as he faces right-hander Charlie Morton, who currently has a 3.35 ERA.