Could play LF, may not lead off Manager Dave Martinez said Monday that Thomas will get work in both left and center field this spring, as Victor Robles will get the chance to compete for the everyday job in cente... Impact Before being demoted to Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 31 and not returning to the big-league roster down the stretch, Robles was benched in three consecutive games, which opened up starts in center for Thomas. The 26-year-old ran with the opportunity, as he not only claimed Robles' job, but he also took over as the Nationals' leadoff man down the stretch and hit .258/.349/.500 with seven home runs, three steals, 27 runs and 21 RBI from September onward. Though he seems like he'll still have an everyday role in a corner spot even if Robles breaks camp as the team's center fielder, Thomas doesn't look like he'll open the season atop the batting order. Per Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post, Martinez said Tuesday that he would like for offseason pickup Cesar Hernandez to emerge as the team's leadoff man, in which case Thomas may have to settle for a spot in the bottom half of the lineup.
MARCH 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
