Jesse Winker's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Washington Nationals outfielder Jesse Winker (knee) said following Friday's game against the hosting Tampa Bay Rays that there's nothing wrong structurally with his knee, and he hopes he can play on Saturday. Winker injured his knee after his foot got caught in the outfield turf in the first inning and had to exit the contest early, walking off the field with a limp, but he appears to have dodged a significant injury. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day before he's re-evaluated ahead of Saturday's matchup against the Rays. It's been a resurgent season for the 30-year-old lefty-hitting slugger, who's slashing .260/.377/.412 with nine home runs, 36 RBI, 37 runs scored, and a career-high 12 stolen bases through 250 at-bats as Washington's primary left fielder. If the rebuilding Nats opt to put Winker, a potential trade chip at July's deadline, on the injured list, a clearer pathway to playing time would emerge for incoming top prospect James Wood.

Washington Nationals outfielder Jesse Winker (cramps) has returned to the starting lineup on Monday to play the opening game of a four-game set against the division-rival Atlanta Braves. Winker left Saturday's game early and was kept out of the lineup on Sunday due to cramping. However, this injury did not seem serious and the 30-year-old is already back in the lineup. Winker will serve as the designated hitter this afternoon and bat in the six-hole, which opens up left field for Eddie Rosario, who will bat cleanup. Winker has looked much better through his first 49 games as a National compared to the previous two seasons. He currently holds a .228/.345/.395 slash line with six home runs and could be a value play in DFS as he faces right-hander Charlie Morton, who currently has a 3.35 ERA.

Washington Nationals outfielder Jesse Winker (cramps) is out of the team's starting lineup on Sunday versus the visiting Seattle Mariners. Manager Dave Martinez said that Winker cramped up while running the bases in Saturday's win over Seattle, and now he'll receive a day off on Sunday. It's unclear exactly where Winker's cramping occurred, but fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now and check back to see if he's back in the lineup on Monday for the series opener on Memorial Day against the Braves in Atlanta. The 30-year-old veteran left-handed hitter has picked things up of late at the plate, but he's still hitting only .230 (37-for-161) on the season with six home runs, 21 RBI, six stolen bases and 23 runs scored. Ildemaro Vargas is in left field on Sunday and is batting fifth against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo.