MLB Player News

Thomas is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Phillies.

Saturday marks the second time in three games that Thomas will begin the contest in the dugout. He went 0-for-2 with one walk in Friday's 3-2 win over Philadelphia. Jake McCarthy will start in center field and bat sixth against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola.

Bauers is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Reds.

Despite Cincinnati sending right-hander Nick Martinez to the mound, the lefty-hitting Bauers will begin Saturday's contest in the dugout. Rhys Hoskins will shift to first base while Gary Sanchez serves as the designated hitter.

Nunez (lower body) is starting at shortstop and batting ninth in Saturday's contest against the Angels, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Nunez left Friday's game due to cramps, finishing the contest 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. He won't miss any time, however, and he'll face off against Halos right-hander Griffin Canning in Saturday's tilt.

Vargas is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Vargas will begin Saturday's contest in the dugout after going 0-for-4 with one strikeout in Friday's 3-2 win over the Halos. Jose Tena will make his Nationals debut at third base while Nasim Nunez returns to the lineup at shortstop.

Tena is starting at third base and batting sixth in Saturday's game against the Angels, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Tena was recalled from Triple-A Rochester earlier Saturday, and he will make his first start for the big club since being acquired from the Guardians on July 29. In the minors this season, Tena is batting .287 with an .824 OPS, 18 home runs and 68 RBI over 448 plate appearances.

Winn (illness) is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Brandon Crawford is starting at shortstop Saturday and batting ninth with Winn fighting off a cold, per Jones. With the Cardinals off Sunday, Winn should return for Monday's series opener against the Reds. Since the All-Star break, Winn is slashing .258/.320/.449 with four home runs and eight RBI across 96 plate appearances.

Abrams (back) is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Abrams told reporters Saturday that he first felt his back issues flare up Thursday during rain delays, which led to his removal from Friday's lineup, per Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com. With the Nationals scheduled for an off day Monday, Abrams will be held out for the weekend series against the Angels and aim to return Tuesday for the series opener against the Orioles. The 23-year-old has struggled from the plate since the All-Star break and is slashing .165/.212/.266 with nine runs scored, two home runs and 11 RBI across 83 plate appearances.

Fraley (ankle) is starting in right field and batting eighth in Saturday's game against the Brewers.

Fraley rolled his left ankle during an at-bat in the second inning of Friday's loss to Milwaukee, and he was taken out of the contest in the fourth frame. He won't end up missing any time, and he'll face off against Brewers right-hander Tobias Myers in Saturday's game. Since the All-Star break, Fraley is slashing .298/.327/.511 with two home runs and nine RBI across 49 plate appearances.

The Nationals optioned Lipscomb to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

After being recalled by the Nationals on July 6, Lipscomb slowly saw his playing time dwindle as he struggled to a .152/.211/.182 slash line with a 23.6 percent strikeout rate across 71 plate appearances. With Ildemaro Vargas establishing a regular role at the hot corner, Lipscomb will go back down to Rochester, where he will have an everyday role at third base. Jose Tena was recalled from Rochester in a corresponding move.

The Nationals reinstated Weems (lower leg) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Weems landed on the IL on July 26 due to shin splints in his right leg. He didn't end up needing a rehab stint, and the 31-year-old right-hander will return to the Nationals' bullpen for their weekend series against the Angels. Right-hander Joan Adon was optioned to Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move.