Juan Soto photo by LegNats for TalkNats
There were some big roster moves as expected today. Matt Adams was moved to the 10-day DL with a fracture of his index finger as the first move of the day. Manager Dave Martinez said an additional x-ray was done last night and revealed a “slight fracture” with no timetable for his return. As expected, Wander Suero was optioned back to Triple-A Syracuse to open up another roster spot. The Nationals will go with a 4-man bench as Jefry Rodriguez was activated to pitch today, and Kelvin Herrera was added to the roster as he was indeed at Nationals Park this afternoon.
This is the final series of the season against the Baltimore Orioles who also had roster moves today as well as over the weekend. The O’s will pitch rookie righty David Hess tonight. Rumors are swirling from Jon Morosi this afternoon about Manny Machado being a trade target for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Orioles just have to hope that they stay healthy so they can trade key players.
The Nationals as mentioned are in acquisition mode and are rumored to be in the market for a starting pitcher and a catcher. Could there be another trade announced during tonight’s game? We are 43 days from the July 31st trade deadline so why not get a jump start on it!
Manager Dave Martinez finally moved Bryce Harper back in the line-up….one spot to clean-up. Trea Turner was pushed back to 6th in the line-up and Juan Soto was moved up to the #2 spot in the line-up where four of the top five spots in the line-up are left-handed. Is this a one-day line-up? Michael Taylor is not in the starting line-up again. Spencer Kieboom gets his second start in 3-days, and he will bat 8th tonight.
Most likely this is a one-game call-up for Jefry Rodriguez as Jeremy Hellickson should be called back up to start Sunday against the Phillies which is the Sunday Night Game of the Week. Hellickson threw a 50-pitch bullpen session this afternoon. It was supposed to be a sim-game but that was cancelled due to inclement weather. If Rodriguez is not needed on Sunday, he could be optioned back after the game and the Nationals could add a bench arm or another reliever for four days until Hellickson is activated.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 7:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN; MLB App out-of-market
Nats Radio: 106.7 The Fan and via the MLB app
Line-ups subject to change without notice:
- Adam Eaton RF
- Juan Soto LF
- Anthony Rendon 3B
- Bryce Harper CF
- Daniel Murphy 1B
- Trea Turner SS
- Wilmer Difo 2B
- Spencer Kieboom C
- Jefry Rodriguez RHP
