MLB Player News

Abrams stole two bases and scored a run in Thursday's win over the Red Sox.

The shortstop began the game on the bench, but after getting hit by a pitch in the eighth inning when he pinch-hit for Jeter Downs, Abrams races around the bases before adding an insurance run for the Nationals on a Stone Garrett single. Abrams is up to 33 steals in 36 attempts on the season, and since the All-Star break the 22-year-old is slashing .272/.338/.432 with four homers, nine RBI and 23 runs in 32 games.

Winn had his contract selected by the Cardinals on Thursday.

Winn will join the major-league roster with 45 days remaining in the regular season. The team's top prospect has produced a .283 average with 17 homers, 60 RBI, 97 runs and 17 stolen bases over 104 games with Triple-A Memphis this year. Lars Nootbaar (abdomen) was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Rojas is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Brewers.

Rojas has collected two homers and seven RBI over his last three games, but Enrique Hernandez will get the start at shortstop and bat eighth Thursday against Milwaukee ace Corbin Burnes. Rojas carries an overall .510 OPS versus righties this year.

Edman (calf) is playing center field and hitting leadoff versus the Mets on Thursday.

Edman was removed from Wednesday's game in the fifth inning against Oakland due to a right calf contusion after fouling a ball off his leg. He has led off against four of the last six lefties he has started against, and he is atop the lineup against southpaw Jose Quintana in this one. Edman typically hits ninth against righties.

Abrams is getting a scheduled day off Thursday versus the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Abrams battled some back spasms toward the end of last week, but all is well. He tallied his 31st stolen base of the season in the Nationals' win over Boston on Wednesday after reaching the 30-steal plateau in Tuesday's loss. Jeter Downs will play shortstop and hit ninth in Thursday's series finale.

Downs is starting at shortstop and batting ninth Thursday against the Red Sox.

This is just the second start of any kind for Downs since the Nationals called him up from Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 3. The 25-year-old had struggled in the minors prior to that promotion and will have to take advantage of these limited opportunities in order to carve out more of a regular role for the stretch run.

Rojas went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's 7-1 win over the Brewers.

Rojas has swatted all three of his homers this season over 15 games in August, though he's hitting a meager .233 for the month. His blast in the second inning Wednesday put the Dodgers ahead for good as they continue to roll. The shortstop is at a .220/.274/.297 slash line with 23 RBI, 36 runs scored and seven stolen bases through 92 contests.

McLain went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, three RBI and two steals in Wednesday's 7-2 win over the Guardians.

McLain opened the scoring Wednesday with an RBI double in the first inning before adding a two-run homer off Noah Syndergaard in the fourth. The 24-year-old shortstop would also add his 10th and 11th stolen bases in the contest. McLain's huge night snapped a brief slump -- he'd gone 5-for-32 (.156) over his previous eight games. He's now slashing .298/.363/.514 with 13 homers, 56 runs scored and 44 RBI through 358 plate appearances in an impressive rookie campaign.

Edman was removed from Wednesday's game against Oakland due to a right calf contusion.

Edman fouled a ball off his right leg during an at-bat in the fifth inning and ended up having to leave the game. It's possible the Cards keep Edman out of the lineup for a day or two to allow him to recover, but he seems to have avoided a serious injury.

Wendle is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Astros.

Wendle looks to be getting a routine day off for the series finale. With Wendle beginning Wednesday's game on the bench, Jon Berti will draw the start at shortstop.