JULY 21, 2021•MLB.COM
Sixto (shoulder surgery) looking to 2022WASHINGTON -- Marlins top prospect Sixto Sánchez underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a capsular tear and clean out the back side of his r...
Victor Robles - Not starting WednesdayRobles is on the bench for Wednesday's game against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
ImpactThe 24-year-old gets the day off after a 1-for-3 performance Tuesday, which raised his average to .128 in 39 at-bats since the start of July. Andrew Stevenson will start in center field and bat seventh Wednesday.
JULY 21, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Alcides Escobar - Good to go WednesdayEscobar (wrist) is starting at second base and batting leadoff Wednesday against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
ImpactThe 34-year-old was dealing with a sizable bruise on his right wrist after being hit by a pitch Tuesday, but he showed enough in pregame workouts to avoid being held out of the lineup. Escobar is hitting .300/.364/.433 with a homer, three doubles, seven RBI and 10 runs in 14 games since joining the big-league roster in early July.
JULY 21, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Stephen Strasburg - Completes bullpen sessionStrasburg (neck) tossed a 27-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
ImpactStrasburg appeared to experience a setback over the weekend when he acknowledged that he wasn't feeling well physically following a recent simulated game, but he's seemingly turned the corner quickly. The Nationals planned to hold Strasburg back from throwing for a few days, but after he played catch Tuesday without discomfort, he was cleared to get back on the mound. The minor hiccup in the rehab process shouldn't affect Strasburg's timeline for a return from the 10-day injured list, though the Nationals probably won't pinpoint a target date for the right-hander until he's ready to start a rehab assignment.
JULY 21, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Kyle Schwarber - Resumes jogging WednesdaySchwarber (hamstring) was seen jogging in the outfield ahead of Wednesday's game against Miami, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
ImpactSchwarber has been dealing with a significant hamstring strain since early July, but it was encouraging to see him participate in some light activities Wednesday. He wasn't running with much intensity, but a better idea of his return timetable could come into focus once he's able to increase his activity level.
JULY 21, 2021•ROTOWIRE
JJ Bleday - Still scuffling in Double-ABleday has gone hitless across his last four games for Double-A Pensacola, dropping his season line to .196/.308/.321 with six homers, 26 RBI and 30 runs across 66 games.
ImpactThe 23-year-old outfield prospect had finally negotiated his average above the Mendoza line when he hit yet another slump -- this one an 0-for-14 stretch, though at least he's drawn three walks in those four games. Bleday's 14 percent walk rate is the silver lining on this dark cloud of a season, as his much-touted power stroke has been almost entirely absent. The No. 4 overall pick from the 2019 draft, Bleday certainly has not lived up to his billing after leading the NCAA in homers in his final season at Vanderbilt. With his foundation of pedigree and plate discipline, Bleday isn't a lost cause, but his stock is certainly down. Enterprising dynasty-league managers with an appetite for risk might want to consider making a lowball trade offer.
JULY 21, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Jorge Alfaro - On bench WednesdayAlfaro is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
ImpactSandy Leon will get the nod behind the plate for the series finale, catching for starting pitcher Nick Neidert. Alfaro started four of the Marlins' first six games out of the All-Star break, going 2-for-16 with six strikeouts.
JULY 21, 2021•ROTOWIRE
