Washington Nationals DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Washington Nationals rookie outfielder James Wood had a solid all-around offensive game in Tuesday's 11-5 win over the Giants. Wood went 2-for-3 with a single, a two-run home run, four runs scored, two RBI, two walks, and a strikeout. He also stole two bases. The 21-year-old crushed an eighth-inning Sean Hjelle fastball deep into the center-field seats for his third long ball of the season. Wood, who is the No. 2 prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline has not provided as much power as fantasy managers expected but has looked good overall, slashing .270/.364/.426 with 17 runs scored, 23 RBI, and five stolen bases in132 plate appearances.

Washington Nationals right-hander Josiah Gray (elbow) had Tommy John surgery and an internal-brace procedure on July 24 to fix a partially torn UCL in his right elbow. Ten days after the procedure, Gray said he was feeling positive and will take a day-to-day approach to his long recovery. He has been in the team's clubhouse doing his physical therapy and watching home games from the dugout. Gray was put on the injured list on April 9 (retroactive to April 6) and was moved to the 60-day IL on July 5 to clear a space on the 40-man roster. The 26-year-old will miss the remainder of the 2024 season and most likely most, if not all, of next year as well. The former second-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 2018 out of Le Moyne College surrendered 13 earned runs on 15 hits in just 8 1/3 innings over his two starts at the start of this year before landing on the shelf.

Washington Nationals right-hander Trevor Williams (elbow) is throwing at 125 feet and could throw a bullpen session next week. "He is feeling better, it's just been a slow process," manager Dave Martinez said. Williams was placed on the 15-day injured list back on June 4 (retroactive to June 1). The 32-year-old suffered a right-flexor muscle strain earlier this year at the worst possible time, as he was 5-0 with a 2.22 ERA (2.81 FIP), a 1.08 WHIP, 47 strikeouts and only 16 walks in 56 2/3 innings over his first 11 starts. It's good news that he is close to getting back on a mound, but given the length of time away from pitching, he's going to need a long ramp-up process and probably won't be much of a fantasy option over the final two months of the season as the Nats play out the string. Williams may not be able to return to Washington's starting rotation until the final month of the season in September.

Washington Nationals right-handed pitching prospect Cade Cavalli (elbow) has resumed throwing as he ramps up his rehab process from Tommy John surgery. Cavalli has not made a minor-league rehab start since June 21 because he experienced "dead arm" and then came down with the flu. The team's No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, had Tommy John surgery on March 22 of 2023. "We just wanted to build him up. He pushed himself. He got really sick and now we're just getting him back," manager Dave Martinez said last Friday. The 25-year-old former 22nd overall pick in 2020 out of Oklahoma allowed just two earned runs on one hit with five walks and 13 strikeouts in three rehab starts earlier this year, but the Nats don't really have any incentive to push him back to the big leagues to close out the 2024 season with a postseason spot not on the line.

Washington Nationals outfielder/first baseman/designated hitter Joey Gallo (hamstring) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, and the plan is for him to play five innings at first base. Then Gallo will serve as the DH for a full game on Wednesday and play five to seven innings in right field on Thursday. Gallo was placed on the 10-day injured list way back on June 12 with a left-hamstring strain. The 30-year-old left-handed slugger could rejoin the Nats by the weekend, barring any setbacks on his rehab assignment. When he's back, though, he could merely be a bench bat for the Nationals as they play out the string in 2024. Before hurting his hammy, Gallo was hitting a pathetic .164 (23-for-140) with five homers, 11 RBI and 71 strikeouts in his 165 plate appearances. The power potential is no longer worth it for fantasy managers in mixed leagues.