Nationals third baseman Nick Senzel was scratched from the Opening Day lineup Thursday with what turned out to be a damaged thumb, supervisor Dave Martinez introduced after the sport. Senzel fractured his thumb throughout pregame warmups, injuring the digit whereas fielding a floor ball, in line with Andrew Golden of the Washington Submit. He was subsequently changed within the lineup by journeyman infielder Ildemaro Vargas.
Senzel, 28, signed with the Nationals over the offseason after being non-tendered by the Cincinnati Reds. In his first 5 big-league seasons, he batted .239/.302/.369 (77 OPS+) with 33 dwelling runs and -1.6 Wins Above (or, on this case, under) Alternative. Senzel is a former prime prospect, having been chosen second general within the 2016 draft. The Nationals, in flip, had been hoping a change of surroundings may enliven his bat.
For now, Senzel must wait to show them proper or not.
The Nationals intend to advertise Trey Lipscomb to the majors in Senzel’s wake, in line with Golden. Lipscomb, Washington’s third-round choose in 2022, break up final season between Excessive- and Double-A. He hit .272/.311/.419 with 14 dwelling runs and 10 stolen bases. It is price noting that Lipscomb struck out 76 extra instances than he walked in 129 video games.
The Nationals’ different prime choices at third base included Vargas and Jake Alu, who’s already a part of their 40-player roster. For now, although, it seems that Lipscomb will get the primary alternative to exchange Senzel within the lineup.
Brady Home, the Nationals’ No. 3 prospect and a former first-round choose himself, appears prone to debut over the course of the summer time on condition that he hasn’t but appeared in a Triple-A contest.
The Nationals can have Friday off earlier than resuming their sequence with the Reds on Saturday.
