Washington Nationals DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez announced that left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore will start on Opening Day as the Nationals play host to the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, March 27. Gore, a former first-round pick by the San Diego Padres in 2017, will be entering his third season with the Nationals and look to start the season on a high note. During the 2024 season, Gore was 10-12 with a 3.90 ERA, 3.53 FIP, and a 10.8 K/9. Gore has been in the big leagues since 2022, and we have continued to see him improve year over year. At NFBC, Gore's ADP is 205 overall, aligning with RotoBaller's current overall rankings of 207 for Gore. Fantasy managers looking for a young arm with upside will want to target him in their upcoming drafts.

The Chicago White Sox released outfielder Joey Gallo. The White Sox signed Gallo to a minor-league contract earlier in the winter. During spring training, he went 2-for-20 at the plate. Last season, Gallo spent the campaign in Washington. Across 76 MLB contests, Gallo held a .161/.277/.336 slash line with nine doubles and 10 home runs. He drew walks at an impressive 12.3 percent rate but struck out at a high 39.2 percent rate. Gallo also generated a low .285 xwOBA with a .173 xBA. During the 2023 campaign, the 31-year-old logged 111 starts with the Minnesota Twins and posted a .177/.301/.440 line with 21 home runs. If Gallo does find a new club before Opening Day, he should not be targeted in any formats given his lack of consistency in the major leagues.

Washington Nationals first baseman/designated hitter Andres Chaparro (side) apparently injured his left side while taking batting practice on Friday before the team's Grapefruit League game against the division-rival Atlanta Braves. Chaparro left with a trainer while grabbing at his side. The 25-year-old has been in competition with Juan Yepez this spring for a roster spot and is having a great camp, batting .400 with a 1.008 OPS. Depending on the severity and specific nature of his injury, Chaparro could lose out on a roster spot and be forced to open the 2025 season on the injured list. Stay tuned for an update on his injury when the Nationals provide one. The Nats acquired the Venezuelan from the D-backs last year, and he hit .215 (26-for-121) with four homers and 15 RBI in his first 33 big-league games in 2024 in D.C.UPDATE: Chaparro is dealing with left-oblique tightness and will undergo an MRI exam on Saturday morning, according to manager Dave Martinez.

As expected, Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (quadriceps) is back in the Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays after being pulled following a first-inning triple on Wednesday. Abrams is back at the 6 and is batting leadoff after experiencing tightness in both of his quadriceps muscles on Wednesday while rounding the bases. After a strong start to last season, the 24-year-old looks primed for another strong start in 2025 while hitting .300 with a home run in 30 at-bats this spring. However, Abrams tailed off in the second half in 2024 and was sent to the minors for staying out past curfew on a trip to Chicago. His chase rate is perhaps his biggest red flag, but Abrams still offers enough power/speed upside to be considered a top-10 fantasy shortstop. He was a first-time All-Star last year and had 20 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 138 games played.

MASN's Mark Zuckerman reports that the Washington Nationals are moving 2019 first-rounder Jackson Rutledge to the bullpen, according to manager Dave Martinez. The Nationals currently have plenty of starting-pitching depth entering the 2025 season, so this will be the 25-year-old right-hander's best shot at making the Opening Day roster. The Washington Post's Andrew Golden specifically notes that Martinez said Rutledge will serve in a multi-inning role out of the bullpen. The Nationals think the young pitcher will be more effective in his new role and will gain velocity in shorter stints. In addition to Rutledge, Cole Henry has also been moved to the 'pen this spring. Rutledge had a walk rate over 13% with a rough 6.40 ERA at Triple-A Rochester last year and also has a 5.72 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 28 1/3 innings over seven outings (five starts) the last two years in the big leagues.