Joey Gallo's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Washington Nationals first baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo and third baseman Nick Senzel are both out of the starting lineup on Friday against the visiting Houston Astros. Joey Meneses is playing first base and batting sixth, while Ildemaro Vargas is at third base and hitting ninth against Astros right-hander Justin Verlander, who is making his 2024 debut after dealing with a right-shoulder injury this spring. Gallo started each of the team's previous 14 games and could use a break after hitting just .170 with three home runs to begin the year. Senzel began the year on the injured list and has gone 2-for-11 with a walk and three strikeouts in his first three games of the year. Meneses and Vargas have gone hitless against Verlander in their careers in just five combined at-bats.

Washington Nationals outfielders Eddie Rosario and Joey Gallo and second baseman Luis Garcia are all on the bench on Monday with the team facing a left-hander in Pittsburgh Pirates southpaw Marco Gonzales. Victor Robles is getting the start in center field and is batting ninth, Joey Meneses is starting at first base and batting third, and Ildemaro Vargas is at the keystone and hitting seventh. Rosario started the first three games of the year for the Nats in center field and went 3-for-11 with a home run over the weekend. Gallo also started each of the team's first three games against right-handed pitchers and went hitless in 12 at-bats with six strikeouts. The 30-year-old slugger is unlikely to play much against lefties in 2024. Garcia went 2-for-11 with a walk and four strikeouts in the first three games of the year.

Washington Nationals first baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo will serve as the everyday first baseman for the club in the 2024 campaign. The veteran inked a one-year, $5 million deal with the Nats this offseason after spending the 2023 season with the Minnesota Twins. He hit just .177 but slugged 21 home runs in just 111 games, typical production from the 30-year-old. His 21 homers outweighed his 19 singles a season ago, and he has 198 career home runs versus 215 singles. He also sports a healthy 14.8% BB% for his career but his well-known strikeout issues have resulted in an eye-popping 37.9% career strikeout rate. If you can stomach the tiny batting average and a boatload of strikeouts, Gallo's power is worth noting in an everyday role for fantasy managers in 2024.

Washington Nationals outfielder/designated hitter Joey Gallo (quadriceps) has a sore quadriceps in camp and is only hitting right now, according to manager Dave Martinez. The skipper doesn't think it's a huge deal and thinks Gallo might be able to get into Grapefruit League games next week if all goes well. Martinez described it as the team being cautious right now. The 30-year-old left-handed slugger should be fine for Opening Day at the end of March. In his first season with the rebuilding Nationals, the veteran outfielder is expected to see most of his time in left field while also seeing DH at-bats. Because of his inability to make consistent contact, Gallo is prone to prolonged slumps. Strikeouts will come in bunches with some power added in. It's becoming harder and harder to justify a roster spot in fantasy for Gallo.

The Washington Nationals and free-agent left-handed slugger Joey Gallo agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal on Tuesday, according to multiple sources familiar with the deal. The contract is pending a physical and includes an additional $1 million in performance bonuses. Gallo hit just .177 (50-for-282) with 142 strikeouts in 111 games with the Minnesota Twins last year, but he also produced 21 home runs and 40 RBI in 332 plate appearances and will give the rebuilding Nats a power bat that they can put in right field, first base or designated hitter. He should play regularly in 2024 as long as he's healthy, giving fantasy managers a power option. However, his struggles to make contact leave him vulnerable to prolonged slumps and potentially being benched. This might be his last real opportunity for regular playing time in the big leagues.