WASHINGTON NATIONALS NEWS

Nelson Cruz - Dealing with back tightness Cruz was scratched from Thursday's lineup against the Marlins due to back tightness, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Cruz was originally scratched for undisclosed reasons. The severity of the issue is not yet known, though manager Davey Martinez said that Cruz is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Friday. Yadiel Hernandez took over as the designated hitter, and Lane Thomas would also likely benefit if Cruz is out for an extended amount of time.

JUNE 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Stephen Strasburg allows seven runs in Nationals return. But he's back. Strasburg, making his first start in the big leagues in more than a year, struggled in his return. But he is back -- and that counts for som...

JUNE 10, 2022 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Nats' Strasburg allows Marlins 7 runs in 1st start in year

Jazz Chisholm bunted for a single on the first pitch of Stephen Strasburg’s return from a one-year absence, stole second and the Marlins kept on going in a 7-4 win over the Washing...

JUNE 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stephen Strasburg - Shelled in return Strasburg (0-1) took the loss Thursday in Miami, allowing seven runs on eight hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out five in 4.2 innings.

Impact It was his first major-league start in over a year and one Strasburg would probably like to forget. Five of the eight runs against him came with two outs, including the two-run homer by Jesus Sanchez that ended Strasburg's night. Nevertheless, the four-time All-Star is back after missing significant time with a neck injury that required surgery. It was just his eighth start since winning the 2019 World Series Most Valuable Player Award and signing a seven-year, $245 million contract. Assuming he will take his normal turn in the rotation, Strasburg will likely pitch early next week against Atlanta.

JUNE 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Stephen Strasburg Struggles Significantly In Nationals Return Well, it's safe to say Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg is a little rusty. That's the takeaway from his first start in mo...

JUNE 10, 2022 • OUTKICK.COM

Yadiel Hernandez - Added to Thursday's lineup Hernandez was added to the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins.

Impact The 34-year-old was initially slated to get a day off against left-hander Trevor Rogers on Thursday, but he was added to the lineup since Nelson Cruz (undisclosed) was a late scratch. Hernandez is serving as the designated hitter and batting sixth.

JUNE 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nelson Cruz - Late scratch Thursday Cruz was scratched from Thursday's lineup against the Marlins for an undisclosed reason.

Impact While a reason for Cruz's scratch wasn't given, he was removed from the lineup several minutes before the start of the game. Yadiel Hernandez will serve as the designated hitter and bat sixth.

JUNE 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

MLB odds: How fielding percentage stats can give you a betting edge

FOX Sports MLB Betting Analyst, Edward Egros explains why smart bettors look into quantifying fielding when betting individual games.

JUNE 9, 2022

Keibert Ruiz - Not in Thursday's lineup Ruiz isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Miami.

Impact Ruiz started in the last four games and went 2-for-14 with an RBI, a stolen base, three walks and a strikeout. Riley Adams will take his place behind the dish and bat seventh.

JUNE 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Yadiel Hernandez - Takes seat against southpaw Hernandez isn't starting Thursday's game against the Marlins.

Impact Hernandez was out of the lineup against a right-handed pitcher Wednesday, and he'll remain on the bench against southpaw Trevor Rogers on Thursday. Lane Thomas will shift to left field while Victor Robles starts in center.

JUNE 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

César Hernández - Receives first day off Hernandez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Hernandez has started all 58 games at second base this season, but he'll take a seat Thursday for the first time while in the midst of a 2-for-35 slump. Ehire Adrianza will take over at the keystone for Washington.

JUNE 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Stephen Strasburg - Activated for season debut Strasburg (neck) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of his start against the Marlins on Thursday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Impact The veteran right-hander threw 83 pitches over six scoreless innings during his final rehab start Friday, and he's now back on the active roster for his 2022 debut Thursday in Miami. Strasburg has made only seven starts over the past two year while dealing with injuries, and he's likely to face some workload restrictions in his first start of the season.

JUNE 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sam Clay - Sent back down Clay was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Clay was called up by Washington prior to Wednesday's loss to the Marlins, but he didn't appear out of the bullpen during his brief stint with the major-league club. He'll head back to the minors after Stephen Strasburg (neck) was officially reinstated from the injured list Thursday.

JUNE 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Analysis ' Joan Adon's quick rise and demotion is part of the Nats' rebuilding process The Nationals sent down Adon after he posted a 6.95 ERA through 12 starts.

JUNE 9, 2022 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Victor Robles - Swipes sixth bag Robles went 0-for-4 with a stolen base in Wednesday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Marlins.

Impact Getting the start in center field and hitting ninth, Robles stole his sixth base of the season after beating out a potential double-play grounder to third in the fifth inning. The 25-year-old has been on the bench three straight games prior to Wednesday, and he seems likely to split time in center with Lane Thomas until one of them does something to seize the starting gig -- Thomas' .226/.280/.411 slash line on the season is only marginally better than Robles' .235/.297/.311 performance.

JUNE 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Tanner Rainey - Blows third save Rainey (1-2) blew his third save of the season and took the loss Wednesday as the Nationals fell 2-1 to the Marlins in 10 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits while...

Impact All the scoring occurred in the 10th, as the Nats grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the frame before Rainey let it slip away. The loss wasn't entirely on him, however, as the tying run scored after video review when Keibert Ruiz was ruled to have blocked the plate and not allowed a clear lane for Jazz Chisholm. Nonetheless, Rainey is now a mediocre 7-for-10 in converting save chances this season to go along with a 3.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 17.2 innings.

JUNE 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Josiah Gray - Fans six in no-decision Gray didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Marlins, allowing six hits and a walk over five scoreless innings. He struck out six.

Impact The right-hander dueled Miami ace Sandy Alcantara to a standstill for five frames as the two teams wound up doing all their scoring in the 10th. Gray tossed 69 of 101 pitches for strikes before exiting, continuing a hot streak that has seen him give up one earned run or less in three straight outings. He'll take a 4.33 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 69:29 K:BB through 62.1 innings into his next start.

JUNE 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marlins try to sweep 3-game series against the Nationals

The Miami Marlins will try to sweep a three-game series with a win over the Washington Nationals

JUNE 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wacky Wednesday? Nats fall after chaotic 10th MIAMI -- A succinct description painted the picture of a chaotic bottom half of the 10th inning. “A ball hits the base. A bloop hit. A close...

JUNE 9, 2022 • MLB.COM

Sean Doolittle - Starts throwing program Doolittle (elbow) recently resumed playing catch and is throwing long toss, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Impact The veteran left-hander was shut down from throwing for six weeks after receiving a PRP injection in late April, but he's been cleared to resume throwing. Doolittle will need some time to build him arm strength back up before returning to mound work, so he's likely still at least a few weeks away from being ready for game action.

JUNE 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Raucous 10th inning doesn't go the Nats' way in a 2-1 loss to the Marlins After nine scoreless innings, things got weird in the 10th, and the Marlins walked off as winners.

JUNE 9, 2022 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Alcantara pitches 9 scoreless, Marlins beat Nats in 10

Sandy Alcantara pitched nine scoreless innings, Jesús Aguilar hit a game-ending single in the 10th inning and the Miami Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 2-1

JUNE 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

LEADING OFF: Strasburg returns to majors; Trout, Alonso sit Nationals star Stephen Strasburg is set to pitch in the majors for the first time since June 1, 2021, when he starts against the Marlins in...

JUNE 9, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

LEADING OFF: Strasburg returns to majors; Trout, Alonso sit

Nationals star Stephen Strasburg is set to pitch in the majors for the first time since June 1, 2021, when he starts against the Marlins in Miami on Thursdaay night

JUNE 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Víctor Arano - Shut down with bone bruise Manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday that Arano was diagnosed with a "bad bone bruise" in his left knee, and the right-hander isn't expected to start a throwing program within the...

Impact Arano landed on the injured list Monday and is eligible to be activated June 21, but he's set to be sidelined beyond the 15-day minimum. The right-hander doesn't have a clear recovery timeline, but he isn't likely to return until July at the earliest.

JUNE 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE