Los Angeles to visit Washington Sunday
The Nationals will start Joe Ross on Sunday while the Dodgers have yet to announce who will get the startJULY 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nats' hot-hitting Schwarber out with hamstring strain
Washington Nationals left fielder Kyle Schwarber has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right hamstring strainJULY 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kershaw, Dodgers to take on Espino, Nationals
The Dodgers will start Clayton Kershaw on Saturday while the Nationals are expected to counter with Paolo EspinoJULY 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dodgers visit White House, rally past Nats, 7th win in row
Mookie Betts hit a go-ahead single during a nine-run in the seventh inning after Washington ace Max Scherzer departed, and the Los Angeles Dodgers surged past the Nationals 10-5 fo...JULY 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Placed on injured list Mercer was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a strained right quadriceps, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact The veteran infielder left Wednesday's contest with what was initially labeled quad cramps, but he's now been diagnosis with a sprain. It's unclear how long Mercer is expected to be sidelined. Humberto Arteaga was promoted from Double-A Harrisburg in a corresponding move and will start at shortstop Friday with Trea Turner (finger) also banged up.
JULY 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Muncy's grand slam lifts Dodgers to 6th straight, sinks Nats
Max Muncy hit a grand slam to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-2 rain-shortened win against the Washington NationalsJULY 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Not starting Thursday Mercer (quadriceps) isn't starting Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact The 34-year-old played through cramps in his quadriceps Wednesday, and he was further evaluated Thursday. Even though Trea Turner (hamstring) isn't starting, Mercer will be held out of the lineup while he recovers. He's still considered day-to-day, and it's not clear whether he could be available off the bench Thursday.
JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Plays through cramps Wednesday Mercer went 2-for-5 with a solo homer and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over Tampa Bay. Per Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington, manager Davey Martinez said that Mercer is d...
Impact Mercer received his first start since being hit in the mouth by a grounder last Thursday. The utility infielder popped his first homer of the campaign when he took Michael Wacha deep in the the fifth inning and he later singled and scored in the eighth. Both Mercer and Juan Soto dealt with leg cramps during the contest, though Mercer was able to stay in the game. Mercer will be looked at again Thursday and is considered day-to-day for the time being.
JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Birthday boy Turner ties mark with 3rd cycle, Nats top Rays
Trea Turner completed his record-tying third career cycle by hitting a sixth-inning triple for the Washington Nationals, accomplishing the feat on his 28th birthday in a 15-6 victo...JUNE 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Back in lineup Mercer (lips) is starting Wednesday's game against the Rays.
Impact Mercer received lip stitches after a grounder popped up and hit him in the mouth last week, and he hasn't appeared in a game since then. He'll start at second base and bat eighth in Wednesday's series finale.
JUNE 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Receives lip stitches Mercer may only be available in an emergency Thursday at Miami after receiving three stitches in his lip, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.
Impact The veteran infielder had a grounder pop up and hit him in the mouth during the ninth inning of Wednesday's win over the Phillies, though he remained in the contest since the Nationals were out of bench players. It doesn't appear to be a serious injury, but Mercer's usage may be limited for a couple days while he deals with the discomfort.
JUNE 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Journeyman Espino pitches Nationals to sweep of Pirates
Paolo Espino got his first major league win at age 34, Josh Bell hit a two-run homer and the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 for a three-game sweepJUNE 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Could get more time sans Castro Mercer will start at third base and bat seventh Wednesday against the Pirates.
Impact He'll pick up the nod at the hot corner in the Nationals' first game without their primary option at the position in Starlin Castro (personal), who was moved to the restricted list Wednesday. According to Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington, the Nationals plan to deploy a committee of Josh Harrison, Luis Garcia and Mercer to cover second and third base while Castro is out. Since Harrison appears to be locked into a full-time role, the righty-hitting Mercer will most likely fill the short side of a platoon with the lefty-hitting Garcia at the other available infield spot.
JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Fills in for Josh Harrison Mercer will start at second base and bat seventh Thursday against the Giants, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact The 34-year-old journeyman is picking up his second start in four games, but he still looks to be a true backup to second baseman Josh Harrison rather than one half of a timeshare at the position. Mercer boasts a reliable glove in the middle infield, but he offers little impact at the plate, especially at this stage of his career.
JUNE 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Netting collapses, Phils beat Nats; Voth HBP, broken nose
In a bizarre scene, stadium workers using tractors scrambled to hoist the protective netting behind home plate after it suddenly collapsed Sunday, interrupting the Philadelphia Phi...JUNE 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Swanson stays hot with 2-run HR as Braves top Nationals 5-0
Dansby Swanson continued his power surge by hitting a two-run homer in Atlanta’s four-run sixth inning and the Braves beat Patrick Corbin and the Washington Nationals 5-1JUNE 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brewers sweep Nationals in day-night doubleheader
Luis Urías went 3 for 3 with two RBIs, including the tiebreaking double in a four-run sixth inning, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Washington Nationals 6-2 to sweep a day-night...MAY 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Making little impact Mercer is slashing .233/.250/.279 through 44 plate appearances with a 1:12 BB:K.
Impact While the veteran infielder has been making fairly regular appearances off the bench for the Nats, Mercer hasn't been taking advantage of his opportunities and is still looking for his first RBI. He might last on the roster only until the team feels a younger option like Carter Kieboom or Luis Garcia is ready to give the majors another shot.
MAY 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Yanks rally past Nats 4-3 in 11th, Scherzer strikes out 14
Gleyber Torres’ tying single in the ninth inning and a winning infield single in the 11th helped the New York Yankees overcame Max Scherzer’s commanding 14-strikeout performance to...MAY 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Struggling Nationals get back Schwarber, Bell, Harrison
Left fielder Kyle Schwarber, first baseman Josh Bell and infielder Josh Harrison have been reinstated from the injured list by the Washington NationalsAPRIL 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kershaw barely outduels Scherzer, Dodgers sweep Nats 3-0
Clayton Kershaw pitched six innings of five-hit ball in an outstanding duel with Max Scherzer, and the Los Angeles Dodgers swept three games from the Washington Nationals with a 3-...APRIL 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Taylor's homer propels Dodgers to 9-5 win over Nationals
Chris Taylor hit a three-run homer and Zach McKinstry made big plays with his bat and arm as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Washington Nationals 9-5APRIL 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Turner homers, Dodgers beat Nats 1-0 on champs' ring day
Justin Turner homered in the sixth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their World Series championship ring ceremony day with a 1-0 victory over the Washington NationalsAPRIL 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Activated from COVID IL Mercer was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday.
Impact The 34-year-old was one of nine Nationals players that landed on the COVID IL after last week's outbreak, but he apparently isn't one of the infected players. Mercer should serve as a utility infielder for Washington.
APRIL 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Not quite 'Your 2021 Washington Nationals!' finally playing
The Washington Nationals finally got their season started five days later than they were supposed to after a delay because of a coronavirus outbreakAPRIL 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
