Washington Nationals

CJ Abrams

SS

Abrams will miss a second consecutive games as he deals with a left ankle injury. He is considered day-to-day, and Nationals manager Blake Butera previously expressed optimism that Abrams could return to play Saturday. Nasim Nunez is at shortstop and Jorbit Vivas is covering second base Friday.

DJ Herz

SP

After Herz underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2025 and then suffered a left flexor strain in late June, the Nationals have been having him ramp up slowly since he started up a new rehab assignment earlier this month. Through three outings between Single-A Fredericksburg and Harrisburg, Herz has yet to permit a run, but he's been limited to one, two and two innings in those appearances. The 33 pitches he threw Thursday marked a new high total for Herz, but he'll likely need to push that count up to the 70-to-80 range before becoming a viable option for the Washington rotation.

Josiah Gray

SP

It will be Gray's first official game action since he made three rehab starts late last season following July 2024 Tommy John surgery with an internal brace. The righty suffered a flexor strain during spring training and opened the year on the 60-day injured list, but he's finally been cleared to pitch in games again. Gray could make some starts for the Nationals in September if he can avoid more setbacks.

James Wood

RF

Wood hasn't been shut down from baseball activities completely, but the 24-year-old outfielder remains in a holding pattern and hasn't been cleared for more strenuous exercises. Per MLB.com, Wood has been throwing at about 65 percent intensity out to 90 feet, taking dry swings at about 70 percent intensity and swinging off a tee at about 60 percent intensity. Based on where he currently stands in his recovery, Wood looks to be at least a week or two away from potentially rejoining the Nationals.

Drew Millas

C

The switch-hitting catcher is on the mend from an index finger fracture on his left (non-throwing) hand, which has kept him on the shelf since July 15. Since the All-Star break, Harry Ford has been filling in for Millas as the Nationals' No. 2 catcher behind Keibert Ruiz, with Ford having thus far submitted a .774 OPS over 55 plate appearances. Though Millas looks to be progressing in his recovery and may soon head out on a rehab assignment, he could be optioned to Triple-A Rochester or settle for the third spot on the depth chart with Washington once he's brought back from the injured list.

Richard Lovelady

RP

Lovelady won't be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list until Aug. 28, but he could have a shot at returning on or around that date now that he's reached the point in his rehab that he's been able to get back on a mound. Before hitting the shelf June 29 due to a left triceps strain, Lovelady had notched four saves and nine holds while pitching to a 3.91 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in 27 appearances for Washington.

Connelly Early

SP

Manager Blake Butera indicated the organization wasn't overly concerned about Early's health, but the setback might have been the only excuse the Nationals needed to rule the southpaw out from pitching in the majors again this season. Acquired in the Curtis Mead (wrist) deal, Early had a 3.44 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 93:34 K:BB through 91.2 innings for the Red Sox earlier this year. He last saw game action June 30 before landing on the IL with elbow inflammation.

PJ Poulin

RP

Poulin had been on the shelf since July 19 due to a left flexor strain, and his move to the 60-day IL ensures that he'll remain out through Sept. 13. The southpaw's move to the 60-day frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for one of Yovanny Cruz and Jake Bird, two of the four players the Nationals acquired Sunday in the deal that sent Luis Garcia to the Yankees.

Mitchell Parker

RP

Parker moved to the 60-day IL at the start of the month after being diagnosed with a Grade 3 UCL sprain, and the procedure will officially keep him out for the remainder of 2026 and most, if not all, of the 2027 campaign, as well.

Ken Waldichuk

RP

Waldichuk posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 9.1 innings over his five relief appearances with Washington before landing on the injured list April 13 after suffering a left forearm injury. The southpaw received a couple of medical opinions in the week following the injury and ultimately decided to undergo Tommy John surgery for the second time in just under two years, after he previously had the procedure in May 2024. Waldichuk also underwent a flexor tendon repair as part of the operation.