WASHINGTON NATIONALS NEWS

Juan Soto - Mashes pair of homers Soto went 4-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI in Friday's 24-8 loss to San Diego.

Impact The outfielder's participation in the Home Run Derby earlier this week didn't appear to mess with his swing. Soto went yard in the first inning off San Diego starter Chris Paddack and added another blast in the sixth off reliever Miguel Diaz. Soto is now slashing .292/.412/.473 with 13 homers, 46 RBI, 56 runs scored and five stolen bases through 337 plate appearances.

JULY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Erick Fedde - Lit up early Friday Fedde (4-7) took the loss Friday versus San Diego. He allowed six runs on three hits and four walks with one strikeout in 1.1 innings.

Impact Fedde ran into trouble when five of the first seven batters he faced reached base in the first inning (three singles, one walk, one fielder's choice). In the second, his control disappeared with three walks, and relieved Andres Machado allowed all three inherited runners to score in what ended up being a historic effort from San Diego's offense. Fedde now has a 5.32 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 60:33 K:BB across 66 innings in 14 starts. His spot in the rotation could be in jeopardy when Stephen Strasburg (neck) or Joe Ross (elbow) can return from the injured list. For now, Fedde projects for a home start versus Miami next week.

JULY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Soto's 2 homers lost in a blizzard of runs WASHINGTON -- There was the grand slam followed by the cycle, with a storm of runs allowed in between. The Nationals gave up a team record o...

JULY 17, 2021 • MLB.COM

Victor Robles - Exits with dizziness Robles exited Friday's game against the Padres due to dizziness that could have been related to the heat, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Impact He exited the game in the second inning before making a plate appearance. If he left due to the heat or due to being dehydrated, it would stand to reason that he would be able to return to action Saturday.

JULY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cronenworth hits for cycle, Padres rout Nationals 24-8 WASHINGTON (AP) — Jake Cronenworth hit for his first career cycle, Wil Myers had two homers including a grand slam, and the San Diego Padres...

JULY 17, 2021 • WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COM

Cronenworth hits for cycle, Padres rout Nationals 24-8

Jake Cronenworth hit for his first career cycle, Wil Myers had two homers including a grand slam, and the San Diego Padres blew out the Washington Nationals 24-8

JULY 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ex-Wolverine Cronenworth hits for cycle against the Nationals Ex-Wolverine Jake Cronenworth hit for the cycle for the first time in his major league career Friday night against the Washington Nationals.

JULY 17, 2021 • DETROITNEWS.COM

Padres' Jake Cronenworth hits for cycle against Nationals San Diego second baseman Jake Cronenworth hit for the cycle against the Washington Nationals on Friday night for just the third cycle in Pad...

JULY 17, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Alex Avila - Resumes baseball activities Avila (calf) has been cleared to resume baseball activities, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Impact Avila has been able to participate in batting practice and running recently as he continues to recover from bilateral calf strains. It's not yet clear whether he could require a rehab assignment prior to rejoining the Nationals, but he appears to be trending in the right direction in his rehab.

JULY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Yan Gomes - No timetable to return Gomes (oblique) doesn't have a timetable for his return, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Impact Gomes has been on the 10-day injured list since Saturday due to a left oblique strain, but he apparently wasn't able to participate in many activities across the last week. It appears likely that the 33-year-old will need to spend more than the minimum of 10 days on the injured list, and a better idea of his status could be revealed once he ramps up his workload.

JULY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Nats' Victor Robles leaves game against Padres in 2nd inning Washington Nationals center fielder Victor Robles left the game against the San Diego Padres in the second inning on...

JULY 17, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Victor Robles - Exits Friday's game Robles was removed from Friday's game against the Padres for an unspecified reason, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Robles was visited by a trainer with two outs in the top of the second inning Friday, and he exited the game following the visit. The nature of his departure isn't yet known, and he should be considered day-to-day for now.

JULY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Padres place rookie left-hander Ryan Weathers on IL

The San Diego Padres placed rookie left-hander Ryan Weathers on the 10-day injured list with right ankle inflammation

JULY 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Starlin Castro placed on leave after alleged domestic violence Starlin Castro was placed on administrative leave Friday afternoon after an alleged domestic violence incident.

JULY 16, 2021 • THESTAR.COM

Tres Barrera - Out of Friday's lineup Barrera is not in the lineup Friday against the Padres, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Impact Barrera has been seeing plenty of action with Yan Gomes (oblique) and Alex Avila (calf) sidelined, but he won't start the first game of the second half. Rene Rivera signed with the Nationals earlier in the day and will start Friday. Barrera and Rivera should split playing time behind the plate until Gomes or Avila is healthy.

JULY 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jakson Reetz - Sent back to Triple-A Reetz was optioned back to Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Reetz recorded a double across two at-bats off the bench after being recalled July 10. With Washington signing catcher Rene Rivera to a major-league deal Friday, Reetz will head back to Rochester for the time being. Given that both Yan Gomes (oblique) and Alex Avila (calf) could possibly return by month's end, there's a good chance Reetz will remain in Triple-A at least until rosters expand in September.

JULY 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Washington Nationals' Starlin Castro placed on administrative leave by MLB Washington Nationals infielder Starlin Castro was placed on administrative leave Friday as part of the joint Major League Baseball-MLB Playe...

JULY 16, 2021 • ORLANDOSENTINEL.COM

Nationals' Starlin Castro put on leave over alleged domestic violence incident The seven-day, paid leave may be extended in week-long increments if both Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association agree.

JULY 16, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

René Rivera - Joins Washington Rivera agreed to a major-league deal with the Nationals on Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Impact The veteran catcher elected free agency after being designated for assignment by Cleveland in early July, but he'll join a two team after being a free agent for a couple weeks. Yan Gomes (oblique) and Alex Avila (calf) are both on the injured list, so Rivera could split time behind the plate with Tres Barrera.

JULY 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jordy Mercer - Activated from injured list Mercer (quadriceps) was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Mercer landed on the shelf June 2 with a quadriceps strain, and he'll rejoin the active roster after missing the past two weeks. The 34-year-old could see increased playing time in the immediate future with Starlin Castro placed on administrate leave for at least seven days.

JULY 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Nats' Starlin Castro placed on administrative leave by MLB

Washington Nationals infielder Starlin Castro has been placed on administrative leave

JULY 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Starlin Castro placed on administrative leave The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced on Friday that Washington Nationals infielder Starlin Castro has been placed on Adminis...

JULY 16, 2021 • MLB.COM

Nationals' Starlin Castro will be placed on MLB administrative leave amid domestic violence investigation Under terms of the policy, Castro will be paid while on administrative leave, which can be extended by consent of MLB and the union.

JULY 16, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Nationals' Starlin Castro placed on administrative leave after domestic violence accusation The leave does not constitute a disciplinary action and Castro will be paid for its duration.

JULY 16, 2021 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Starlin Castro - Placed on administrative leave Castro was placed on administrative leave Friday while the league investigates an alleged domestic violence incident, Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic reports.

Impact The leave will initially last seven days. It's unlikely Castro returns after that period, however, as similar situations have typically involved multiple leave extensions until the league completes its investigation.

JULY 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE