Paul DeJong DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Washington Nationals have placed shortstop Paul DeJong (nose) on the 10-day injured list with a fractured nose. In a corresponding move, the Nationals promoted infielder Trey Lipscomb from Triple-A Rochester. DeJong suffered this injury during their victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday evening. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status while he is sidelined, but should not expect him to miss too much time. Through the first 16 games of the campaign, the 31-year-old infielder posted a .204/.246/.278 slash line with four doubles and a 2:24 BB:K. Under the hood, DeJong has generated a low .220 xwOBA with a .258 xSLG, which are both well below the average marks. While he is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Lipscomb to see several opportunities in the infield. He will have value in deeper formats given his speed upside.

Washington Nationals infielder Paul DeJong (face) was hit by a pitch by Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller in the sixth inning in the left side of his face in Tuesday's 3-0 win and had to leave the game early. DeJong was able to get up and walk off the field under his own power but had a cut on the left side of his face. The 31-year-old veteran will probably be put through concussion tests as a precaution, but it sounds like he may have avoided a serious injury. DeJong went 0-for-2 in the game with a strikeout before leaving and was replaced at third base by Amed Rosario. He probably won't be available to play on Wednesday in Pittsburgh, but hopefully DeJong won't be forced to miss extended time. DeJong has struggled early in his first year with the Nats, as he came into Tuesday's contest with a .212 average (11-for-52) with no homers, two RBI, two steals and three runs. Check back on his status on Wednesday.

Washington Nationals infielder Paul DeJong is not in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park. With DeJong starting on the bench, Jose Tena is starting at third base and will hit eighth against D-backs right-hander Brandon Pfaadt. DeJong has gotten off to a slow start in 2025 in his first year in the nation's capital, as he's gone just 4-for-18 with two doubles, two walks and 11 strikeouts in 20 plate appearances over six games played. Tena will get a chance after going 1-for-2 with a strikeout in just two games played in the early going. He has never faced Pfaadt in his career and isn't a recommended lineup option for DFS gamers on Friday. The 31-year-old DeJong should see most of the playing time at the hot corner for the Nats early this season, and he still has some notable pop, but he won't contribute in the average department with a lot of strikeouts.