TRAVIS BLANKENHORN NEWS

Becomes free agent Blankenhorn elected free agency Monday after being outrighted off the Nationals' 40-man roster.

Impact At this point in the calendar, Blankenhorn is unlikely to land a minor-league deal with another organization before the season ends, but he'll get a head start in finding his next employer ahead of 2025. He was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 20 and later designated for assignment after he slashed .129/.156/.161 over 32 plate appearances in 13 games with the Nationals.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Outrighted to Triple-A The Nationals outrighted Blankenhorn to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Impact Blankenhorn was removed from the 40-man roster last week but will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. He'll represent outfield depth at Rochester.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

DFA'd by Washington The Nationals designated Blankenhorn for assignment Friday.

Impact The 28-year-old was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 20 and has now lost his place on the 40-man roster. Blankenhorn has an .821 OPS in 106 games with Rochester this season and could remain with the affiliate if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down to Triple-A The Nationals optioned Blankenhorn to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

Impact Blankenhorn's playing time had been trending downward throughout August, and he'll give up his spot on the 26-man roster to Joey Gallo (hamstring, who was activated from the injured list Tuesday. Blankenhorn posted a meager .317 OPS in 32 plate appearances for the Nationals but is slashing .246/.328/.518 with Rochester.

AUGUST 20 • ROTOWIRE

Losing out on playing time Blankenhorn is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact The lefty-hitting Blankenhorn finds himself on the bench for the second day in a row, this time against a right-handed starter (Dean Kremer) after he sat out Tuesday's 9-3 win while lefty Trevor Rogers took the hill for the Orioles. After getting called up from Triple-A Rochester on July 30, Blankenhorn had a brief run as a strong-side platoon player at designated hitter, but he's gone just 3-for-28 with eight strikeouts and is beginning to lose out on playing time as a result. He could be at risk of a demotion to Triple-A once Joey Gallo (hamstring) is ready to return from the injured list.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

On bench again Blankenhorn is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels.

Impact Blankenhorn will be withheld from the starting nine for a third consecutive game, though Friday's outing is the first of that stretch against a right-handed pitcher (Jose Soriano). The lefty-hitting Blankenhorn is 3-for-20 (.150) with a 38.1 percent strikeout rate in nine games this season. Harold Ramirez will bat seventh and DH on Friday.

AUGUST 9 • ROTOWIRE

Out against lefty Blankenhorn is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Giants.

Impact The Giants are sending a lefty (Kyle Harrison) to the hill for the second day in a row, so the lefty-hitting Blankenhorn will once again head to the bench. Platoon mate Harold Ramirez will get another turn as the Nationals' designated hitter and will slot sixth in the batting order.

AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE

Exiting lineup vs. lefty Blankenhorn is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Impact With a lefty (Blake Snell) on the bump for the Giants, the lefty-hitting Blankenhorn will move to the bench after starting in each of the Nationals' previous six games. Harold Ramirez will take over as the Nationals' designated hitter.

AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE

Gaining traction in lineup Blankenhorn will serve as the Nationals' designated hitter and No. 6 batter in Sunday's game against the Brewers.

Impact Blankenhorn didn't crack the lineup Tuesday against the Diamondbacks after being called up from Triple-A Rochester earlier that day, but he's now entered the starting nine in four consecutive contests -- all against right-handed pitching. The lefty-hitting Blankenhorn looks like he'll occupy the strong side of a platoon at designated hitter with the righty-hitting Harold Ramirez, who will head to the bench for a second straight contest. Blankenhorn has gone 1-for-10 with two RBI and one run through his first four games with Washington, but he had been a standout performer for Rochester, with whom he produced an .846 OPS in 401 plate appearances prior to his promotion.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

Called up from Rochester The Nationals selected Blankenhorn's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

Impact With Lane Thomas and Jesse Winker having been moved elsewhere ahead of the trade deadline, the Nationals will turn to Blankenhorn to fill one of the openings on the roster. Blankenhorn slashed .246/.328/.518 with 24 home runs and 69 RBI through 401 Triple-A plate appearances on the season. The 27-year-old is capable of fielding either of the corner-outfield positions, though with James Wood in left field, most of Blankenhorn's time will likely be spent competing with Alex Call for reps in right.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Selected from Rochester The Nationals selected Blankenhorn's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

Impact With Lane Thomas and Jesse Winker now out of the picture, the Nationals will give one of the open outfield spots to Blankenhorn, who has slashed .246/.328/.518 with 24 homers and 69 RBI through 401 Triple-A plate appearances on the season. The 27-year-old is capable of fielding either of the corner outfield positions, though with James Wood in left field, most of Blankenhorn's time will likely be spent competing with Alex Call for reps in right.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to be called up Tuesday Blankenhorn is expected to be called up to the major-league roster Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Blankenhorn will join the Nationals in Arizona after producing a .246 average with 24 home runs, 69 RBI, 58 runs scored and three stolen bases over 353 at-bats in 94 games with Triple-A Rochester entering Monday. Washington has seemingly shifted their focus to developing their future, trading away veterans like Lane Thomas and Jesse Winker prior to the deadline, so Blankenhorn could see a significant workload with the team down the stretch.

JULY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to be called up Tuesday The Nationals are expected to call up Blankenhorn from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Blankenhorn will join the Nationals in Arizona after producing a .328 on-base percentage with 24 home runs, 69 RBI, 58 runs scored and three stolen bases over 401 plate appearances in 94 games with Triple-A Rochester on the season. Washington has seemingly shifted its focus to the future after trading away veterans such as Lane Thomas and Jesse Winker in recent days, and while the 27-year-old Blankenhorn is an older prospect, he could still vie for a regular spot in the lineup if he performs well in his initial opportunities with the big club.

JULY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Sent outright to Triple-A Blankenhorn (foot) was activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester.

Impact Blakenhorn missed the last few weeks of the season with plantar fasciitis and has now been booted off the Nationals' 40-man roster. He got into 10 games with the Nats this season, going 5-for-31 with one home run.

OCTOBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 10-day IL The Nationals placed Blankenhorn on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with plantar fasciitis, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Blankenhorn hasn't appeared in a game since last Thursday, and now at least there is an explanation for the extended absence. This 10-day IL stint is retroactive to Sept. 16, so the 27-year-old outfielder will be eligible to return as early as next Tuesday. Blake Rutherford is joining the active major-league roster in a corresponding move.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Playing time fading Blankenhorn is absent from the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox.

Impact Blankenhorn has now been out of the lineup for four straight contests, with the last three coming against right-handed pitching. Jake Alu is making a third straight start in field field and looks to have emerged as the preferred option there versus righties for Nationals manager Dave Martinez.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench again Blankenhorn is out of the lineup Sunday versus the Brewers.

Impact Blankenhorn is on the bench for the third consecutive game. With Sunday's game against righty Brandon Woodruff, the 27-year-old will be out of the lineup for the second straight game against a righty. Jake Alu will start in his place again.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out of lineup Blankenhorn will be cMark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com for Friday's game against the Brewers.

Impact Prior to Saturday's game, Blankenhorn had started against every righty the Nationals had faced in September while sitting against all but one lefty, but his off day here comes against righty Corbin Burnes. Blankenhorn's .555 OPS through 10 games this season certainly doesn't make much of a case for a large role down the stretch, though he could continue to see the field on a regular basis due to Washington's lack of reliable alternatives. Jake Alu will be the left fielder Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting versus lefty Blankenhorn isn't in the Nationals' lineup Friday against the Brewers, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Left-hander Wade Miley will start on the mound for Milwaukee on Friday, so the lefty-hitting Blankenhorn will retreat to the dugout to begin the game. Alex Call will fill in as the Nats' left fielder and bat eighth.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against lefty Blankenhorn is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Pirates.

Impact Alex Call, Jacob Young and Lane Thomas will start across the outfield for the Nationals as they match up against southpaw Bailey Falter. The left-handed-hitting Blankenhorn has slashed just .200/.333/.320 in 30 overall plate appearances since earning a Sept. 1 call-up to Washington.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Getting regular run in left field Blankenhorn will start in left field and bat cleanup in Sunday's game against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Blankenhorn will get a third consecutive start and looks as though he could get an extended run as the Nationals' everyday left fielder in September so long as he's swinging a hot bat. The 27-year-old held his own through his first two starts since his call-up from Triple-A Rochester on Friday, going 2-for-5 with a solo home run and three walks.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pops first homer of 2023 Blankenhorn went 1-for-2 with two walks and a solo home run in Friday's 8-5 extra-innings loss to the Marlins.

Impact The 27-year-old, who had just been called up earlier in the day as part of September roster expansion, took Eury Perez deep in the third inning for his first big-league homer in 2023 and just the second of his career. Blankenhorn slashed .262/.360/.517 at Triple-A Rochester this year with 23 homers in 108 games, but he's unlikely to see consistent playing time down the stretch as the Nats focus on evaluating players who are more likely to be part of the team's future.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Added to roster The Nationals selected Blankenhorn's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Blankenhorn, 27, has put up an .877 OPS and 23 home runs over 108 games with Rochester this season to earn a look-see with the big club. The utility player will back up at several positions for the Nationals.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set to join big-league roster The Nationals will select Blankenhorn's contract Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Blankenhorn joined the Nationals on a minor-league deal in December, and he has spent the entire season with Triple-A Rochester. He's played well at the level as a 26-year-old, maintaining a 116 wRC+ across 452 plate appearances. He'll likely have to settle for a reserve role in the majors as a first baseman and corner outfielder.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE