Blake Rutherford - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Recalled from Rochester The Nationals recalled Rutherford from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact The 26-year-old outfielder will get another look at the major-league level as Travis Blankenhorn heads to the 10-day injured list with plantar fasciitis. Rutherford has batted just .182 with a .388 OPS and 10 strikeouts in 34 plate appearances this season with Washington.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Demoted after Sunday's loss The Nationals optioned Rutherford to Triple-A Rochester following Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Marlins, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Rutherford's demotion comes after he had recently ceded his strong-side platoon role in left field to Jake Alu, who had previously been handling an everyday role at second base. Given that Rutherford had been out of the lineup for five of the Nationals' last six games and had recorded a .182/.206/.182 slash line through his first 34 plate appearances, the Nationals' decision to send him back to the minors doesn't doesn't come as a major surprise.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Losing out on playing time Rutherford is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

Impact Rutherford is on the bench for the fourth straight game and has seemingly lost hold of a strong-side platoon role while the Nationals have recently added Carter Kieboom and Jacob Young from the minor-league ranks. Since his call-up from Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 4, Rutherford has slashed .182/.206/.182 over 34 plate appearances.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting amid struggles Rutherford is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Yankees.

Impact Jake Alu will start in left field as Ildemaro Vargas handles second base. Carter Kieboom is at third. Rutherford went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the Nationals' loss to New York on Wednesday and is batting just .182 with a .388 OPS across his first 34 major-league plate appearances.

AUGUST 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Tuesday Rutherford is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Yankees.

Impact Stone Garrett, Alex Call and Lane Thomas will start across the outfield for the Nationals as they face left-hander Carlos Rodon. The left-handed-hitting Rutherford has drawn only three plate appearances against southpaws this season at the MLB level.

AUGUST 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sits versus lefty Rutherford isn't in Washington's lineup Saturday against the Phillies, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Southpaw Cristopher Sanchez will begin Saturday's game on the mound, so the lefty-hitting Rutherford will start off on the bench. Stone Garrett, Alex Call and Lane Thomas will start in the outfield from left to right.

AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Breaks out with three hits Rutherford went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI in Friday's 8-7 win over the Phillies.

Impact The 26-year-old went 0-for-16 following his promotion in early August, but Rutherford might be getting comfortable at the plate -- over his last three starts, he's gone 6-for-11 with two RBI and three runs. A first-round pick of the Yankees back in 2016, the rebuilding Nationals have every incentive to see if Rutherford is a late bloomer, and a potential contributor in 2024 and beyond.

AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out against lefty Rutherford is out of the lineup again Thursday versus the Red Sox.

Impact Rutherford sat Wednesday with left-hander James Paxton toeing the slab for Boston, and he'll remain on the bench Thursday as the Nationals face another southpaw in Chris Sale. The 26-year-old outfielder has drawn only two plate appearances against lefties since his Aug. 4 promotion to the majors.

AUGUST 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Idle versus lefty Rutherford is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Rutherford will give way to platoon mate Stone Garrett in left field while the Nationals oppose a lefty (James Paxton) on Wednesday. Since receiving his first big-league call-up Aug. 4, Rutherford has gone 3-for-23 with one walk against eight strikeouts.

AUGUST 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out against lefty Rutherford is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Athletics.

Impact In his short major-league career, Rutherford is yet to start against a lefty, and that remains so heading into Sunday's game. The 26-year-old made his big-league debut Aug. 2 and has appeared in five games since. In Saturday's game, the outfielder recorded his first two career hits.

AUGUST 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Friday Rutherford isn't in the Nationals' lineup Friday against Oakland, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Rutherford remains hitless through 16 at-bats to begin his major-league career, so he'll get a breather Friday to regroup. Stone Garrett will fill Rutherford's place in left field and bat seventh.

AUGUST 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hits bench versus southpaw Rutherford is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Following his call-up from Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Rutherford started in left field in both of the Nationals' matchups with right-handed pitchers this past weekend against the Reds, going 0-for-7 with four strikeouts between those contests. Though the lefty-hitting Rutherford will hit the bench Monday versus the Phillies, he looks like he'll get a trial in the strong-side platoon role in left field that Corey Dickerson had occupied prior to his release last week.

AUGUST 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hitless in debut Rutherford made his major-league debut Friday, finishing 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in a victory over the Reds.

Impact Rutherford, starting in left field and batting sixth, grounded into a double play in his first big-league plate appearance. He would go on to strike out twice, once against Graham Ashcraft and once against Alexis Diaz. A first-round pick by the Yankees in 2016, Rutherford has lost most of his prospect shine. That said, he put up a .349/.400/.547 line at Triple-A this season and the Nats figure to give him some time to evaluate whether he could be a fit on the roster in 2024.

AUGUST 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Selected to MLB roster The Nationals selected Rutherford from Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Impact Rutherford has split time between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester, slashing .345/.395/.583 through 261 plate appearances between the two levels. The 26-year-old outfielder will add to Washington's outfield depth and will be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game.

AUGUST 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Outrighted to Triple-A Rutherford cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

Impact Rutherford lost his 40-man roster spot when the White Sox acquired Adam Haseley from the Phillies on Tuesday, but he'll remain part of the organization. He'll have to do better than the .250/.286/.404 line he managed for Charlotte last season if he's to make a push for his major-league debut.

APRIL 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Correa hits 1st homer for Twins, Verlander sharp for Astros

Carlos Correa hit his first spring homer with the Twins, providing a preview of what he could provide Minnesota’s lineup this season

MARCH 29, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

James Fegan: Blake Rutherford was designated for assignment... - The Athletic Blake Rutherford was designated for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot for Adam Haseley. One could argue this closes the book on the 2...

MARCH 29, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

White Sox acquire OF Adam Haseley in trade with Phillies

The Chicago White Sox have acquired outfielder Adam Haseley in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies

MARCH 29, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Loses 40-man roster spot Rutherford was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Tuesday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Rutherford was a first-round pick in 2016 and looked good in the lower minors, but he's stalled out since reaching Double-A in 2019. He posted a 98 wRC+ at that level and followed it up with an 80 wRC+ in Triple-A last season. He's still just 24 years old, but his lack of success in the upper minors may dissuade teams from using a 40-man roster spot on him. The move clears space for the White Sox to add Adam Haseley, who was acquired in a trade with the Phillies.

MARCH 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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White Sox acquire OF Adam Haseley in trade with Phillies