MAIKEL FRANCO NEWS

Signs in Japan Franco signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Nippon Professional Baseball League on Thursday, Gaijin Baseball reports.

Impact Franco has struggled in the majors the last two seasons and was ultimately released by the Nationals late in the 2022 campaign. He'll now head overseas in an attempt to revitalize his career. Given that Franco is 30 years old, he may find any future opportunities in the MLB difficult to come by.

DECEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Reds spoil top prospect Cavalli's debut, beat Nats 7-3

Donovan Solano hit a two-run double off Cade Cavalli in the pitching prospect’s big league debut, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Washington Nationals 7-3

AUGUST 27, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Losing playing time Franco is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cubs.

Impact Franco is on the bench for the fourth time in seven games and looks to have moved into the No. 2 role at third base behind Ildemaro Vargas. Given the limited defensive flexibility Franco offers in a backup role, he could be in danger of getting designated for assignment if the Nationals need to clear room on the 40-man roster at any point in the final six weeks of the season.

AUGUST 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hoerner, Cubs top power-hitting rookie Meneses, Nationals

Nico Hoerner homered to ignite a four-run rally in the seventh inning that sent the Chicago Cubs over power-hitting rookie Joey Meneses and the Washington Nationals 4-2

AUGUST 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Meneses hits 2-run HR in 8th as Nationals beat Cubs 6-5

Joey Meneses hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning, Keibert Ruiz went deep twice and the Washington Nationals regrouped after blowing a three-run lead, beating the Chic...

AUGUST 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not starting Sunday Franco is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Impact Franco has alternated starts at third base with Ildemaro Vargas over the past five games, and that trend will continue Sunday after Franco went 1-for-4 with a strikeout during Saturday's contest. Vargas is 6-for-9 in three games since having his contract selected by Washington on Aug. 1, and Franco's playing time could dwindle further if Vargas continues to play well.

AUGUST 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Steps out of lineup Franco is not in the lineup Friday's game against the Phillies, Bobby Blanco of MASN Nationals reports.

Impact Franco is 3-for-27 with a run and a stolen base since the All-Star break and will head to the bench Friday for the second time in the past three games. Ildemaro Vargas will start at the hot corner and could see more consistent playing time going forward given Franco's struggles.

AUGUST 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Collects first steal of season Franco went 1-for-2 with a run scored and a stolen base in Thursday's loss to the Phillies.

Impact The 29-year-old stayed right on schedule in the stolen base department -- Franco's never swiped more than one bag in a season, but he's recorded that one steal in every even-numbered year since 2016 while skipping the odd-numbered years in between. His .598 OPS is the worst mark of his career, however, and he's found himself on the bench for five of the last 11 games as a result. As the Nationals add more young infielders like CJ Abrams to the roster down the stretch, Franco's playing time could dwindle even further.

AUGUST 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Riding pine Wednesday Franco isn't starting Wednesday against the Mets.

Impact Franco started the last two games and went 0-for-7 with a strikeout. He'll get a breather while Ildemaro Vargas starts at the hot corner and bats ninth.

AUGUST 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting again Sunday Franco is not in the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Cardinals.

Impact Franco is 2-for-18 with five strikeouts since the All-Star break and will head to the bench Sunday for the fourth time in the past seven games. Ehire Adrianza will receive another start at the hot corner for the Nationals.

JULY 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Friday Franco is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact Franco has a .439 OPS through 17 games in July and will take a seat Friday for the third time in Washington's past five contests. Ehire Adrianza will receive another start at the hot corner, though his .537 OPS in July hardly gives him much of an edge for playing time over Franco.

JULY 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

For whom the Bell tolls: Nats' Josh Bell is top trade target

Juan Soto could be the biggest star dealt before the Major League Baseball trade deadline if the Washington Nationals choose to make that move

JULY 28, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dodgers strike early, avoid sweep with 7-1 win over Nats

Hanser Alberto had a two-run double during the Dodgers’ six-run first inning, and Los Angeles emphatically avoided an improbable sweep with a 7-1 victory over the Washington Nation...

JULY 27, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Riding pine Monday Franco isn't starting Monday against the Dodgers.

Impact Franco went 1-for-6 with two strikeouts over the two games following the All-Star break, but he'll be held out of the starting nine for a second consecutive matchup Monday. Ehire Adrianza is starting at third base and batting eighth.

JULY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Sunday's lineup Franco is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Arizona.

Impact Franco is 1-for-6 in the first two games out of the All-Star break and will take a seat Sunday. Ehire Adrianza will start at the hot corner Sunday.

JULY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Swats eighth homer Franco went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Thursday's loss to Atlanta.

Impact With the Nationals down 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Franco made things interesting by taking Atlanta closer Kenley Jansen deep for a solo shot, but the comeback fell short. It was Franco's first homer in July and eighth of the year to go along with a poor .234/.264/.359 slash line through 84 games, but Washington's lack of alternatives at the hot corner should keep the 29-year-old in the lineup.

JULY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not in lineup for Game 2 Franco isn't starting the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mariners, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Franco started in the first game of the doubleheader and went 0-for-2 during the loss. He'll get a breather while Ehire Adrianza starts at the hot corner and bats seventh.

JULY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Saturday Franco isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Atlanta.

Impact Franco started in the last two games and went 1-for-6 with a run, an RBI and a strikeout. However, Ehire Adrianza will take over at the hot corner and bat ninth Saturday.

JULY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Riding pine Wednesday Franco isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Impact Franco is getting a day off after he went 1-for-15 with a run, two walks and four strikeouts over the last five games. Ehire Adrianza will take over at the hot corner and bat eighth.

JULY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Checks out of lineup Franco is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

Impact Ehire Adrianza will step in at third base as a replacement for Franco, who is on the bench for the second time in four games. Franco has gone hitless with five strikeouts in 11 at-bats over his last three starts and could begin to lose out on playing time more frequently if he's unable to turn things around soon.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gets Wednesday off Franco is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Ehire Adrianza picks up a start at third base while Franco sits after going 2-for-11 with a home run and two RBI while he was in the lineup for each of Washington's last three contests. Franco owns an unremarkable .649 OPS over 294 plate appearances on the season, but he doesn't appear to be in imminent danger of losing hold of an everyday role.

JUNE 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Slugs game-winning homer Franco went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Monday's 3-2 win over the Pirates.

Impact Franco delivered the game's most decisive play in the eighth inning, when he took reliever Chris Statton deep with two outs to give Washington the lead. He'll make his third straight start Tuesday, covering third base while batting fifth.

JUNE 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Franco's 2-run homer carries Nationals past Pirates 3-2

Maikel Franco hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in the eighth inning, and the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 in the opener of a three-game series

JUNE 28, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Takes seat Saturday Franco isn't starting Saturday against the Rangers, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Franco went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts during Friday's win over Texas, and he'll be held out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games. Ehire Adrianza is starting at the hot corner and batting ninth.

JUNE 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Wednesday Franco isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Orioles, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Franco is receiving a rare day off after he went 2-for-10 with a homer, three RBI, two runs and two walks over the last three games. Ehire Adrianza is starting at the hot corner and batting ninth.

JUNE 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE