Washington Nationals DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Joe La Sorsa (illness) is recovering from an illness and is expected to report to spring training in a few days, according to The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans. In addition, right-hander Albert Abreu has yet to secure his visa but is expected to report to camp by next week. Both La Sorsa and Abreu are non-roster invites to spring training this year. The Reds also announced the signing of right-hander Josh Staumont to a minor-league deal this week that includes an invitation to major-league camp. La Sorsa, 26, was released by the Washington Nationals this offseason but quickly latched on with the Reds and will attempt to win a roster spot out of spring training. In 16 relief appearances for the Nats in 2024, he sported a 4.58 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and five walks in 17 2/3 innings. La Sorsa will likely begin the 2025 season in the minors.

According to Andrew Golden of the Washington Post, Nationals right-handed pitcher Cade Cavalli (elbow) is "healthy" entering spring training. However, manager Dave Martinez noted that the team will manage his workload and want him to be available for the entire season when he does return to the mound. Cavalli underwent Tommy John surgery during the 2023 campaign but was only limited to just five 2/3 innings in the minor leagues last season after dealing with dead-arm from his recovery process. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status throughout the spring but should expect him to be put on a strict innings limit. Given the extent of the time he has missed, he will likely open the season in the minor leagues as he continues to build up his workload. He last appeared in the majors during the 2022 season, where he made just one start. The 26-year-old could be worth a look in deeper NL-only formats when he returns to the majors but should not be targeted in any drafts given his uncertain timetable.

New Texas Rangers left-handed reliever Robert Garcia (forearm) is being held out of bullpens in camp for the next few days due to nerve irritation in his left forearm. Garcia will play catch on Thursday and go from there. "Nothing we're concerned about, but going to play cautiously here at the beginning of spring training," president of baseball operations Chris Young said. The Rangers acquired Garcia from the Washington Nationals this offseason in the deal that involved first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. The 28-year-old should be in line for high-leverage bullpen duties for the Rangers in 2025 after they lost both Kirby Yates and Jose Leclerc to free agency, although Chris Martin is expected to be the primary option for saves in the ninth inning. In a career-high 72 outings for the Nats in 2024, Garcia had 13 holds with above-average strikeout and walk rates. Don't ignore him in holds leagues if he's healthy.

MASN's Bobby Blanco writes that Washington Nationals infielders Trey Lipscomb, Jose Tena and Brady House are the most likely candidates to compete for the starting third base job in spring training this year. Lipscomb, 24, has the most MLB experience of the trio after making his big-league debut in 2024 and hitting .200/.268/.232 with a homer, 10 RBI and 11 steals in 61 games. He showed a strong glove, but Lipscomb was optioned four times in six months and recalled five times. Tena, 23, started 34 of the team's final 44 games at third and hit .274 with three homers, 15 RBI and six steals in 41 games with the Nats. He didn't outshine Lipscomb in the field but was much more impressive with the bat and produced nice exit velocities. House, 21, has been good on offense and defense but he has only made 51 appearances at third at Triple-A. The former first-rounder has more long-term upside but also needs more experience.

The Los Angeles Angels signed former Washington Nationals top prospect Carter Kieboom to a minor-league deal that includes a non-roster invite to major-league spring training. The 27-year-old was a former 28th overall pick by the Nats in 2016, and he made his big-league debut in 2019. Kieboom ended up being a big bust for the Nationals, only hitting .199/.297/.301 with 12 home runs, 42 RBI and 138 strikeouts in 508 plate appearances over 133 games across four years. He only appeared in 27 games for the Nationals in 2023 and spent all of last year at Triple-A Rochester. Because of the struggles of Anthony Rendon, another former National, the Angels are opening up competition at third base this spring. Kieboom should be involved in that competition, but the expectation is that Luis Rengifo will have the leg up for playing time at the hot corner.