5 DAYS AGO • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
DJ Herz, Nasim Nuñez among latest Nats cuts as roster takes shape The moves still leave the team with some decisions to make before Opening Day next week against the Phillies.
Misses Opening Day roster The Nationals optioned Nunez to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.
Impact Nunez turned heads in Nationals camp with a .419/.486/.484 slash line through 35 plate appearances and seemed to be making a real push for the Opening Day roster. He'll instead begin the season in Triple-A, a move which will allow the 24-year-old infielder to continue developing while playing every day -- something he wouldn't have been able to do in Washington.
5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE
Forcing tough decision on Nats Nunez may be playing his way onto the Opening Day roster, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
Impact This was not part of the plan for the 24-year-old Nunez, a Rule 5 pick in 2024 who essentially lost a year of development while spending the whole season on the Washington bench and seeing just 78 plate appearances over 51 appearances. He's been one of the standouts in camp for the Nats, batting .419 (13-for-31) with a 3:4 BB:K and seven steals in nine attempts while playing excellent defense, and he is making a strong case for a utility spot on the 26-man roster. CJ Abrams and Luis Garcia are locked in at shortstop and second base however, so the most likely scenario is for Nunez to begin the year in a starting middle-infield role with Triple-A Rochester -- a level he has yet to play at after being plucked from Double-A in the Marlins' organization last year.
5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE
Starting for demoted Abrams Nunez will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Cubs.
Impact Nunez will close the weekend with consecutive starts at shortstop after he went 1-for-3 in Saturday's 5-1 win. With the Nationals optioning C.J. Abrams to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Nunez could take on an everyday role in the middle infield during the final week of the regular season.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Filling in for Abrams again Nunez will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact He'll pick up a fourth consecutive start in place of CJ Abrams, who remains day-to-day with a sore shoulder. Nunez has gone 0-for-8 with a walk and a stolen base over his prior three starts and will likely head back to a reserve role once Abrams is cleared to rejoin the lineup.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Back in lineup Nunez (lower body) is starting at shortstop and batting ninth in Saturday's contest against the Angels, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
Impact Nunez left Friday's game due to cramps, finishing the contest 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. He won't miss any time, however, and he'll face off against Halos right-hander Griffin Canning in Saturday's tilt.
AUGUST 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Battling cramps Nunez exited Friday's game against the Angels due to cramps, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Impact Nunez was able to limp off the field after laying down a sacrifice bunt in the 10th inning, and the Nationals don't seem to be very concerned about his availability going forward. The 23-year-old went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts while filling in for CJ Abrams, who was scratched from the lineup due to back spasms.
AUGUST 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Best offensive production to date Nunez his hitting .282 with a .412 OBP, three home runs and 16 steals in 33 games for Double-A Pensacola.
Impact Known for his plus defense at shortstop and plus-plus speed on the bases, Nunez has been a below league average hitter at every stop except one prior to this season. His 131 wRC+ in 154 plate appearances is easily a career best, and his .097 ISO, .412 OBP and 17.5 percent strikeout rate also represent the best marks of his four-season career. If he can get on base enough to make up for his lack of power, Nunez's defense could earn him everyday playing time, in which case he could steal enough bases to be fantasy relevant.
MAY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
