Washington Nationals

Keibert Ruiz is in the Nationals lineup on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Ruiz is back behind the plate after getting the day off on Wednesday. He is hitting .143 with two home runs in what has been a slow start so far this season.

Riley Adams is not in the Nationals lineup on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Adams is hitting .218 so far this season. Keibert Ruiz is back behind the plate for Washington.

Ildemaro Vargas is in the Nationals lineup on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Vargas gets the start at third base for Washington. He is hitting .321 with five RBI so far this season.

Trey Lipscomb is out of the Nationals lineup on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Lipscomb is hitting .267 so far this season at the plate. Ildemaro Vargas is starting at third base for Washington.

Eddie Rosario is in the Nationals lineup on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Rosario is hitting No. 7 in the lineup and starting in right field for Washington. He is hitting .088 with one home run so far this season.

Alex Call is not in the Nationals lineup on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Call is hitting 4-for-9 across four games so far this season. Eddie Rosario is starting in right field for Washington.

Kyle Finnegan delivered a flawless outing, striking out three in a clean inning to notch his tenth save in the Nationals' 1-0 victory over the Rangers.

Fantasy Impact: His performance was a textbook display of efficiency, utilizing just 13 pitches to retire the side and preserve the slim lead. This game further cements Finnegan's role as a reliable closer for the Nationals, especially considering his solid season stats including a 2.03 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. However, his relatively low K/9 and high FIP suggest some caution; while he's locking down games, there's potential volatility in his performances. Fantasy managers should value him as a strong saves source, but keep an eye on any shifts in his underlying metrics.

Trevor Williams delivered a strong performance, tossing five scoreless innings, allowing five hits and four walks while striking out three in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Rangers.

Fantasy Impact: Despite a high walk count, Williams managed to keep the Rangers off the scoreboard, showcasing his ability to pitch effectively under pressure. This outing lowered his ERA to 2.27 and WHIP to 1.17 for the season, reinforcing his role as a reliable starter in fantasy lineups, particularly in deeper leagues. His moderate strikeout rate (6.25 K/9) suggest sustainable success, making him a valuable asset for fantasy managers looking for consistent performance.

MacKenzie Gore took the loss Tuesday, surrendering two earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven over five innings against the Rangers.

Fantasy Impact: Despite a solid strikeout rate in this outing, Gore's performance wasn't enough to steer the Nationals clear of a 7-1 defeat. His season ERA slightly rose to 3.19, and his WHIP stands at 1.35, reflecting some challenges with base runners. The high BABIP of .392 suggests he's had some bad luck on balls in play, which might regress positively. However, fantasy managers should be cautious, as his inability to pitch deep into games could limit his win potential and overall value.

Jacob Young went 1-for-4 with two runs scored and two stolen bases in the Nationals' 7-2 win over the Marlins.

Fantasy Impact: His performance today, characterized by his ability to get on base and immediately impact the game with his legs, underscores his growing role as a catalyst atop the Nationals' lineup. With a batting average of .328 through 21 games and an impressive 12 stolen bases, Young is proving to be a valuable asset in categories like runs and steals.

Jesse Winker went 0-for-3 but managed 2 RBI and a stolen base in the Nationals' 7-2 victory over the Marlins.

Fantasy Impact: Despite not recording a hit, Winker contributed to the team's win by driving in runs and stealing a base, showcasing his ability to impact the game in various ways. His performance this season has been solid, maintaining a .277 batting average with a decent .367 wOBA, indicating his effectiveness at the plate. His ability to draw walks, with a .132 walk rate, continues to provide him with opportunities to score and drive in runs, making him a valuable asset in fantasy lineups for his multifaceted contributions.

CJ Abrams went 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base in the Nationals' victory over the Marlins.

Fantasy Impact: Abrams's performance today, highlighted by his power-speed combo, continues to bolster his fantasy value, especially in categories leagues. With a solid .297 average and a .416 wOBA over 25 games, he's proving to be a valuable asset across multiple categories. His blend of power, with 7 homers, and speed, now with 6 stolen bases, makes him a top-tier fantasy option at shortstop. Fantasy managers should continue to ride his hot streak, as his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game can be a game-changer in lineup decisions.

Jake Irvin delivered a solid performance, allowing two earned runs on four hits over six innings in Monday's 7-2 win against the Marlins.

Fantasy Impact: He did not issue any walks and struck out three. This outing marks a positive step for Irvin, who has been battling to lower a somewhat inflated ERA of 4.28 and a WHIP of 1.19 coming into the game. His ability to avoid walks and limit hits in this start should provide some reassurance to fantasy managers. With a season K/9 of 7.0 and a FIP of 3.49, Irvin continues to show potential for growth. His performance today, especially in controlling the game without surrendering free passes, could hint at more consistent outings ahead, making him a player to watch or hold onto in fantasy leagues.

Victor Robles (hamstring) is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday. (Source: Spencer Nusbaum on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Robles has been out of action with a left hamstring strain. The Nationals plan on having Robles operate as the designated hitter and see time in the outfield before being activated.

Nick Senzel hit two home runs and drove in five runs on Sunday against the Marlins.

Fantasy Impact: Senzel hit home runs in the fourth and fifth innings to help Washington overcome an early 6-0 deficit. He is slashing .222/.263/.639 on the season.

Patrick Corbin allowed seven runs (four earned) on eight hits over four innings on Sunday against the Marlins.

Fantasy Impact: Miami scored six runs on Corbin in the opening inning, which included a grand slam hit by Jazz Chisolm. Corbin was able to settle in and Washington came back from the big deficit to give him the no-decision. He is scheduled to face Toronto next.

Mitchell Parker delivered a solid performance, allowing just one earned run on six hits and two walks while striking out two over four innings in Saturday's 11-4 victory over the Marlins.

Fantasy Impact: Despite a relatively short outing, Parker maintained his impressive season-long metrics, including a stellar 1.69 ERA and 0.94 WHIP. His ability to limit runs and maintain control, evidenced by a 7.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio, continues to make him a reliable option in fantasy lineups. While his strikeout numbers weren't eye-popping in this game, his overall performance this season should keep fantasy managers confident in his contributions moving forward.

Joey Gallo is not in the lineup for the Washington Nationals against the Miami Marlins Saturday. (Source: Washington Nationals on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Gallo will sit out for regular rest, with Nick Senzel occupying the designated hitter spot and batting eighth against the Marlins for manager Dave Martinez Saturday.

Cade Cavalli is expected to begin a rehab assignment in mid-May. (Source: Bobby Blanco on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Cavalli is facing live hitters for the first time on Monday. He said he is about a month and a half away from fully returning. He is hitting 96 mph in bullpen sessions.

The Nationals optioned Drew Millas to Triple-A Rochester. (Source: Washington Nationals on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Millas has been optioned with Keibert Ruiz being activated from the injured list. He appeared in two games while he was up in the majors.