The Washington Nationals’ struggles hit rock bottom as the team dropped its eighth straight game to close out a brutal August. With the worst monthly ERA in franchise history, poor starting pitching, and an offense stuck at the bottom of MLB in batting average, the Nationals’ season continues to unravel.

Adding to the frustration, All-Star pitcher MacKenzie Gore landed on the injured list with shoulder inflammation, while young starter Cade Cavalli was hammered by the Yankees in his latest outing. With Andrew Alvarez set for his MLB debut, the Nationals must find answers quickly to stop the slide and salvage September.

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The Washington Nationals are once again searching for stability at first base. Luis García Jr. has been taking reps at the position under interim manager Miguel Cairo, even though he’s been the team’s everyday second baseman since 2022. With Nathaniel Lowe designated for assignment and veterans like Josh Bell, Paul DeJong, and Andrés Chaparro filling in, Washington is experimenting to see who might emerge as a long-term option. García’s versatility could increase his value, especially as his defense at second continues to struggle.

Beyond García, the Nationals are testing multiple paths forward. Prospects like Yohandy Morales remain intriguing but inconsistent, while catchers Keibert Ruiz and Riley Adams have each taken practice reps at first. Adams’ August 3 start at the position highlighted Washington’s willingness to get creative to keep his bat in the lineup. With the rebuild in full swing, the Nationals are searching for answers, and the question remains: who’s on first for the Washington Nationals in 2025 and beyond?

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The Washington Nationals snapped a rough stretch with a 3-2 win over the Phillies, powered by the return of Dylan Crews. After nearly three months on the injured list with an oblique strain, Crews wasted no time making an impact, ripping a single in his first at-bat, stealing second base, drawing a walk, and flashing elite defense with a diving catch in right field. His energy helped spark a young lineup, while José Tena delivered the go-ahead two-run single in the seventh inning. Brad Lord pitched six solid innings, and Cole Henry capped it off with his first career save, striking out Trea Turner to strand the tying run at third — a big moment after his long recovery from thoracic outlet syndrome.

Off the field, the Nationals made a bold move by designating Nathaniel Lowe for assignment. The offseason acquisition struggled to a .216 average and -0.7 WAR, making his $10.3 million salary hard to justify. The decision clears playing time for a crowded young outfield headlined by Crews and James Wood, with Robert Hassell III, Daylen Lile, and Jacob Young competing for one remaining spot. As interim manager Miguel Cairo put it, the team is leaning into its youth and leadership potential as they look to finish strong and embrace the spoiler role against contenders down the stretch.

The Washington Nationals snapped their daytime woes with a 4-2 win over the San Francisco Giants, fueled by James Wood’s leadoff homer, back-to-back blasts from Paul DeJong and Josh Bell, and six solid innings from rookie Brad Lord. Despite going just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position, the Nats held on as new closer José A. Ferrer earned his first save since September.

In other news, Dylan Crews is nearing his MLB return after a strong Triple-A rehab stint, and Cade Cavalli impressed in his first big-league start since 2022, striking out six in 4.1 scoreless innings. The Nationals hope these young players can anchor a brighter future as the season progresses.

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MacKenzie Gore struggled in what may have been his final start with the Washington Nationals, surrendering six runs over 5⅓ innings in a 9–1 loss to the Astros. Despite some signs of improvement, Gore’s second-half ERA ballooned to 10.66, and with trade speculation swirling, his future in D.C. remains uncertain. While Gore admitted the chatter is hard to ignore, he emphasized focusing on his performance and controlling what he can.

Meanwhile, the Nationals leaned fully into their rebuild at the trade deadline, flipping veterans Michael Soroka, Andrew Chafin, Luis García, and Amed Rosario for four minor leaguers, including lefty Jake Eder and infielder Ronny Cruz. These moves reinforce Washington’s long-term plans and reflect their belief in a young core led by CJ Abrams, James Wood, and Brady House. Though the rebuild drags on, the front office’s recent decisions aim to restock the farm and avoid a complete reset.

The Nationals face a pivotal decision with MacKenzie Gore, their best pitcher and most valuable trade chip. With two more years of team control and a dominant season on the mound, Gore’s trade value is sky-high. Interim GM Mike DeBartolo must weigh whether dealing Gore now — at his peak value — is smarter for a franchise still years away from contention. Given that Gore, like Juan Soto before him, is unlikely to sign long-term, the Nats could follow a familiar pattern: sell high to accelerate the rebuild.

Meanwhile, the team suffered a major blow with top pitching prospect Travis Sykora requiring Tommy John surgery, setting back his development until 2026. It’s another setback for a team already dealing with pitching injuries to Cade Cavalli and Jarlin Susana. Veteran Michael Soroka could be the likeliest player dealt by Thursday’s deadline, and while Gore may stay put for now, the front office’s actions this week will shape the Nationals’ next phase of rebuilding.

Luis García Jr. finally broke out of a frustrating slump with a thunderous 390-foot homer Saturday night, leading the Washington Nationals to a 9–3 win over the Twins. The bat-flip moment was both relief and release after several hard-hit outs in recent games. His performance, paired with big nights from CJ Abrams and Alex Call, helped snap a 22-inning scoreless streak and reminded fans what this young team can do when the lineup clicks. Interim manager Miguel Cairo praised García’s resurgence, calling it “the Luis García that we know.”

Off the field, the Nationals made their first trade under interim GM Mike DeBartolo, sending veteran Amed Rosario to the Yankees for pitching prospect Clayton Beeter and 18-year-old DSL standout Browm Martinez. Rosario’s leadership and consistent bat (.270/.736 OPS) will be missed, especially by teammates like García. With Rosario gone, infielder José Tena is set to rejoin the big league roster. The move hints at more changes ahead with the trade deadline looming on Thursday.

The Boston Red Sox are reportedly targeting Nationals ace MacKenzie Gore after losing Tanner Houck to injury, with Gore seen as a “perfect match” due to his age, team control, and strong 2025 performance. Boston, still in playoff contention, could part with top prospects to bolster their rotation, though it would take a massive offer to pry Gore from Washington. For the Nationals, moving Gore would signal a full reboot as the franchise pivots under new leadership following a rough season and front-office turnover.

Meanwhile, Josh Bell has emerged as an unlikely bright spot in a disappointing Nationals lineup. After struggling early, he’s been one of Washington’s best hitters since May, thanks to a return to his natural, all-fields approach. Bell’s resurgence could make him a valuable trade chip or a key veteran presence if retained. His turnaround also underscores the Nationals’ broader development problem: tailoring approaches to individual strengths rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all philosophy.

The Washington Nationals were rocked early in Sunday’s loss to the Padres, with MacKenzie Gore surrendering eight runs in just 2.1 innings, including a grand slam to Xander Bogaerts. It was Gore’s worst outing of the year, and a sharp contrast to his All-Star form, with his ERA ballooning from 3.02 to 3.59. While Nick Pivetta dominated the Nats again, the lone offensive bright spot came from Riley Adams’ solo homer and James Wood snapping an 0-for-20 slump. On the bright side, Rutledge, Lara, and Henry covered nearly seven innings in relief without allowing a run.

Off the field, the Nationals signed No. 1 overall pick Eli Willits for $8.2M and plan to fast-track his development. Cade Cavalli is also nearing a return to the majors as he builds consistency post–Tommy John surgery. With the trade deadline looming, interim GM Mike DeBartolo hinted at dealing veterans like Soroka and Finnegan while protecting core pieces like Gore, Abrams, Wood, and Crews. The Nationals may be struggling now, but their youth movement is gaining real momentum.

The Washington Nationals are at a major crossroads after firing longtime president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo. With the team sitting 20 games below .500 and both the GM and manager positions filled on an interim basis, the Lerners must now make the franchise’s most important leadership hire in over a decade. The front-runner internally is Mike DeBartolo, a lifelong Nat who has climbed the ranks from intern to interim GM. His passion for the franchise and call for “real change” has made him a serious contender, with some insiders vouching for his sharp mind and genuine leadership style.

Externally, experienced names like Josh Byrnes (Dodgers) and Jed Hoyer (Cubs) top the list, bringing proven track records and championship pedigrees. Jeff Greenberg (Tigers), Gavin Dickey (Astros), and Carter Hawkins (Cubs) also offer intriguing blends of analytics, scouting, and player development. Whether the Lerners stay internal with DeBartolo or swing big for an outsider, this decision will shape the direction of Team Nationals for years to come.

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