Is there a spot for versatile Mercer to return in 2022?

Is there a spot for versatile Mercer to return in 2022?
PLAYER REVIEW: JORDY MERCER Age on opening day 2022: 35 How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent, February 2021 MLB service time: 8 years, 156 days 2021 salary: $1 million Contract status: Free agent 2021 stats: 46 G, 127 PA 118 AB, 13 R, 30 H, 7 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 0 SB, 0 CS, 9 BB, 34 SO, .254 AVG, .307 OBP, .364 SLG, .671 OPS, 85 OPS+, minus-1 DRS (at 2B), minus-1 DRS (at 3B), 1 DRS (at SS), 0.0 fWAR, 0.2 bWAR Quotable: "He knows his role. He's a utility guy, but he'll play...

Game 161 lineups: Nats vs. Red Sox

Game 161 lineups: Nats vs. Red Sox
The Nationals put up a fight Friday night against the Red Sox, but couldn't convert a few golden opportunities with runners in scoring position and wound up losing 4-2. In the process, the Red Sox moved a step closer to clinching a spot in Tuesday night's American League wild card game. Their magic number is at two entering the day, so they're in with a win and losses by the Blue Jays (who play at 3:07 p.m.) and Mariners (who don't play until 9:10 p.m.). It's up to the Nats to try to delay...

Game 160 lineups: Nats vs. Red Sox

Game 160 lineups: Nats vs. Red Sox
We have arrived at last at the final homestand of the season. Three more games to wrap up what undeniably has been a season most everyone around here wants to forget. But first, there are three games to play against a team that very much needs to win as many of these as it can. The Red Sox enter play tied with the red-hot Mariners for the second wild card berth in the American League, two games behind the Yankees, one game ahead of the Blue Jays. There are all kinds of scenarios that could play...

Kieboom cleared to play after MRI

Kieboom cleared to play after MRI
Third baseman Carter Kieboom, who was scratched from last night's starting lineup when left forearm soreness cropped up, has been cleared to play after a precautionary MRI earlier today showed no lingering issues. "Everything came back negative," Nationals manager Davey Martinez said in his pregame Zoom session with reporters. "He's going to go work out today (and) we'll see how he feels. But he's available to come off the bench today." Kieboom was hit on the left forearm by a pitch...

Game 155 lineups: Nats at Reds

Game 155 lineups: Nats at Reds
October is a week away and right-hander Erick Fedde (7-8, 4.66 ERA) is still searching for consistency. Though he's won three out of four decisions since Aug. 17, he's got a 5.05 ERA over that span, allowing opponents to slash .274/.308/.527. But his strikeouts have ticked up: 42 over his past 35 2/3 innings. Fedde is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in two career starts against the Reds, who are trying to remain relevant in the National League wild card race. In one lifetime start at Great American Ball...

Kieboom sitting tonight after jamming left thumb

Kieboom sitting tonight after jamming left thumb
Carter Kieboom is not in the Nationals lineup tonight after jamming his left thumb sliding into second base in the ninth inning of Monday night's loss in Miami. "Yesterday he got beat up a little bit, hurt his thumb a little bit," manager Davey Martinez said during his pregame Zoom session with reporters. "So we're just going to give him a day. And if we need him later on, we could use him." Kieboom had a pair of tough slides during the game. He barreled into Marlins pitcher Zach Thompson...

Game 151 lineups: Nats at Marlins

Game 151 lineups: Nats at Marlins
It's Rematch No. 2 tonight in Miami, and this time the dueling starters have the same name. Yes, for the second time in a week, it's Josh Rogers versus Trevor Rogers, and who doesn't get excited for that? The first showdown between these two left-handers occurred last Wednesday in D.C., with the Nationals' Rogers tossing five scoreless innings and the Marlins' Rogers allowing only one run over four innings. Things completely fell apart after that, though, especially on the Nats' side of...

Game 146 lineups: Nats vs. Marlins

Game 146 lineups: Nats vs. Marlins
The nexus of the universe stands at the corner of South Capitol Street and Potomac Avenue SE this afternoon, where both the Nationals and Marlins will be sending left-handed pitchers to the mound named Rogers. OK, so this is hardly cosmos-bending stuff, but it is a funny little quirk about the matchup for today's series finale at Nationals Park. Josh Rogers gets the start for the Nats, his third since his promotion from Triple-A Rochester. And he's been pretty good in each of his previous two...

Mercer returns from IL, Sanchez designated for assignment

Mercer returns from IL, Sanchez designated for assignment
The Nationals got another veteran back on their roster for the season's final weeks, activating infielder Jordy Mercer after a lengthy stint on the 10-day injured list before tonight's series opener against the Marlins. Mercer, who hadn't played since straining his left calf muscle July 20 against Miami, returns to the active roster after a brief rehab appearance with Double-A Harrisburg last week. The 35-year-old played in three games for the Senators, going 3-for-9 with two walks and three...

Ruiz returns to lineup, Mercer begins rehab assignment

Ruiz returns to lineup, Mercer begins rehab assignment
Keibert Ruiz's much-hyped Nationals debut came eight days ago, in the club's homestand opener against the Phillies, with fellow former Dodgers prospect Josiah Gray on the mound. Since then, the rookie catcher has gone a pedestrian 3-for-21 at the plate, started four games, fouled a ball off his right knee and spent three days recovering from the bone bruise that caused. The Nats can only hope Ruiz will find his rhythm now that he's back in the lineup for tonight's game against the Braves....

Infield depth could be seriously tested if Escobar misses time

Infield depth could be seriously tested if Escobar misses time
The sight of Alcides Escobar writhing in pain on the ground Monday night after fouling a ball of his left knee, then needing major assistance from manager Davey Martinez and director of athletic training Paul Lessard just to walk off the field, was plenty disheartening for the Nationals. But the realization of what an injury to Escobar would mean for the Nats infield moving forward was downright frightening. Fortunately, it doesn't appear the club will have to confront that issue head-on....

Coaching staff remains out, Escobar returns to lineup

Coaching staff remains out, Escobar returns to lineup
One week after learning they had tested positive for COVID-19, two remaining Nationals players, five coaches and four other staffers still have not been cleared to rejoin the club. Manager Davey Martinez said the affected personnel are anxious to get back to work but are forced to remain away from the team until getting the green light from officials. "Not yet. Nothing," Martinez said during his Zoom session with reporters prior to tonight's game against the Phillies. "We're still waiting...

Game 98 lineups: Nats at Orioles

Game 98 lineups: Nats at Orioles
Needing a win to prevent a three-game sweep by the Orioles at Camden Yards, the Nationals today turn to a most unlikely pitcher to halt a three-game skid, secure a win in the season series against the Birds and provide some momentum heading into a four-game series in Philadelphia that could make or break Washington's campaign. Righty Paolo Espino (2-2, 3.00 ERA) is 2-1 with a 2.63 ERA in six starts this season, morphing from a journeyman to a trusted resource out of necessity. The 34-year-old...

Nats change tune on Castro after domestic violence allegation

Nats change tune on Castro after domestic violence allegation
When Starlin Castro needed to leave the club for two days last month to deal with what was referred to as a "family matter," Nationals manager Davey Martinez did not hesitate to throw his full support behind the veteran infielder. "I 100 percent support him," Martinez said June 16 during a Zoom session with reporters. "We all support him here with the Nationals." This afternoon, after Castro had been placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball, which is investigating an...

Game 90 lineups: Nats vs. Padres

Game 90 lineups: Nats vs. Padres
And we're back. The second half of the season gets underway tonight on South Capitol Street, and before Erick Fedde throws the first pitch, there's already been plenty of news. For those who didn't see it earlier: Starlin Castro has been placed on administrative leave while Major League Baseball investigates an allegation of domestic violence. Jordy Mercer has been activated off the 10-day injured list and will start at third base tonight against the Padres. Also, the Nationals signed...

Castro goes on administrative leave, Nats add catcher Rivera

Castro goes on administrative leave, Nats add catcher Rivera
Major League Baseball placed Starlin Castro on administrative leave this afternoon while the league investigates an allegation that the Nationals third baseman committed domestic violence. In a brief release announcing the transaction, MLB said Castro has been placed on leave "under the Joint MLB-MLBPA Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy." Per the policy, the initial period of administrative leave may last up to seven days, though an extension is allowed. MLB said it...

Nats call up another infielder, Schwarber wins Player of Month

Nats call up another infielder, Schwarber wins Player of Month
With Trea Turner's left middle finger getting better but not quickly enough to allow him to play tonight, and with an MRI of Jordy Mercer's right quadriceps showing a muscle strain, the Nationals were again faced with the prospect of taking the field without enough true infielders on their roster. On Thursday, they had no choice but to start backup catcher Alex Avila at second base. Tonight, they'll have a true infielder in the lineup, albeit one who wasn't really on anyone's radar....

Game 80 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers

Game 80 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers
Here's some good news: There's no serious threat of rain tonight, the temperature and humidity have dropped and it should be a very pleasant Friday evening at the park as the Nationals and Dodgers play the second of four games this holiday weekend. And here's some more good news: Max Scherzer is on the mound. How good has the ace been? Well, over his last 10 starts, he's got a 1.70 ERA and hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of them. And he held these Dodgers to one run over six...

Nats attempting to add another infielder for tonight's game

Nats attempting to add another infielder for tonight's game
When two of their four major league middle infielders were unavailable due to injury and four more potential call-ups from their farm system likewise weren't available for promotion due to injury, the Nationals were left with no choice but to start 34-year-old backup catcher Alex Avila at second base for Thursday night's series opener against the Dodgers. To hear Davey Martinez discuss the state of things after the Nats' 6-2 loss in a rain-shortened five-inning game, they won't be caught in...

Turner and Mercer out, Nats forced to start Avila at second

Turner and Mercer out, Nats forced to start Avila at second
The Nationals didn't submit tonight's starting lineup until 45 minutes before first pitch, the sense being they were waiting to see if any or all of Juan Soto, Trea Turner and Jordy Mercer were available to play after departing Wednesday's win over the Rays with injuries. Then the lineup came out, and Turner and Mercer were missing. Which leaves the Nats in a most precarious position: Backup catcher Alex Avila is starting at second base for the first time in his career. Yes, you read that...