MLB Player News

Chapman went 2-for-4 with two RBI, a triple and a run scored in Monday's 6-4 loss to the Phillies.

Chapman singled in the first inning and hit a two-run triple in the third before coming around to score. The veteran third baseman has recorded two hits in back-to-back games and in three of his last five overall, going 7-for-20 with four RBI and three runs scored across 21 plate appearances over the latter stretch. Over 11 games, he's now slashing .262/.326/.429 with six RBI, six runs scored and one homer across 46 plate appearances.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Monday's 9-7 loss to the Rockies.

Smith has been on fire at the plate early in the season. He extended his hit streak to seven games Monday, going 10-for-24 (.417) with three homers, two stolen bases and a 1.375 OPS in that span. After slashing .236/.312/.358 with nine homers and eight steals across 493 regular-season plate appearances as a rookie in 2025, Smith has claimed an everyday role in Houston's outfield thanks to his fast start this year.

Santana (groin) is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets.

The veteran switch hitter departed Sunday's game against Atlanta due to right groin tightness and remained in Arizona on Monday to undergo an MRI. The results of the imaging have yet to be disclosed, but Santana will be sidelined for at least one game. Ildemaro Vargas is receiving the start at first base for the series opener in Queens.

Fernandez is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets.

Fernandez has now started four of eight contests since being promoted, but only one of the last four tilts versus right-handed pitching. The 22-year-old homered twice in his major-league debut but is 1-for-12 with a 0:3 BB:K since then. Ildemaro Vargas will handle first base and Adrian Del Castillo will be the designated hitter Tuesday.

Rutschman is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the White Sox, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

It's the second time on the bench in Baltimore's past three games for Rutschman, who is batting .292 (7-for-24) with four doubles, two RBI and three runs through his first eight games of the season. Samuel Basallo is stepping in behind the plate while Gunnar Henderson rests his legs as the designated hitter.

The Nationals activated Schultz (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Schultz missed much of spring training and the start of the season while recuperating from right elbow inflammation, but he's ready to go after making three rehab appearances. He was claimed off waivers by the Nationals over the offseason and is likely slated for a middle-relief role.

Waldichuk was charged with a blown save Monday, giving up three runs on two hits and two walks over 2.1 innings in a 9-6 win over the Cardinals. He struck out two.

Both hits off Waldichuk left the yard, as Ramon Urias took him deep in the sixth inning before Jordan Walker swatted a fastball over the right-field fence to lead off the eighth. Waldichuk has worked more than one inning in all four of his appearances to begin the season, but he's been far from effective with a 7.04 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 7:5 K:BB in 7.2 innings. The 28-year-old southpaw has minor-league options remaining, so he could be the next pitcher cycled out of the Nationals' bullpen when the club needs a fresh arm.

Baty (thumb) is starting in right field and batting fifth Tuesday against the Diamondbacks.

Baty sat out Sunday's matchup with the Giants due to a jammed thumb, which he sustained on a slide during Saturday's contest. The 26-year-old, who has a .242/.242/.364 slash line with no homers and one steal through 33 plate appearances this year, is ready for action after taking Monday's team off day to recover from the injury.

Perez (1-1) picked up the win Monday, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning to close out a 9-6 victory over the Cardinals.

Despite pitching the ninth inning with a three-run lead, Perez was officially credited with a win and not a save as the Nationals' other relievers hadn't exactly been effective -- between them, Ken Waldichuk and Andre Granillo coughed up five runs in three innings. It's still intriguing high-leverage usage for Perez given the unsettled nature of the Washington bullpen, but the 29-year-old southpaw has only avoided allowing any runs himself in two of his five appearances to begin the season, stumbling to a 14.73 ERA and 3:2 K:BB in 3.2 innings.

Abrams went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Monday's win over the Cardinals.

The shortstop launched the third of three eighth-inning homers by the Nationals as part of a six-run eruption that erased a 6-3 deficit. Abrams has gone yard four times in the last five games and hit safely in seven straight, batting .321 (9-for-28) over the latter stretch with a .750 SLG, eight runs, 11 RBI and two steals.