Notes: Soto back in RF; Bell an Ambassador

The Nationals have their starting right fielder back. On Saturday, Juan Soto will make his first defensive start since April 19 due to a stint on the IL (strained left shoulder). Soto served as the DH and hit a two-run homer during Friday’s 11-4 win in the series opener against the Yankees and afterward told his skipper he was good to go on defense.

Manager Davey Martinez is cautiously optimistic for Soto’s return to full play. Right field is shallow at Yankee Stadium, which is a good way to ease Soto back, according to Martinez.

“I want him to play the game the way he normally plays, but just with caution,” Martinez said. “We talked to him yesterday about getting to the balls as quickly as possible. If you do that, you put the pressure on the third-base coach and he's got to hold the runner.”

The Nationals will play the series finale in the Bronx on Sunday, potentially allowing Soto to get at-bats as the DH but giving him a day of rest from the field. The plan is for the coaching staff and the slugger to regroup after the game to determine the plan moving forward.

Two of the Nats’ five shutouts this season occurred during Soto’s 11-game absence. Hitless in three pinch-hitting attempts against the Braves, Soto’s bat returned late in Friday’s win. He joined the home run derby at Yankee Stadium in the top of the ninth inning, smacking the longest ball of the game (424 feet) off his bat at 110.2 mph. He also recorded a single in the eighth, marking his first multi-hit game since April 15.

The open DH spot allowed Ryan Zimmerman (first base) and Josh Bell (DH) to face off against two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber in Saturday’s matchup.

Bell named Player Ambassador
The Nationals announced on Saturday that Bell will serve as the third Player Ambassador to the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy. The position, previously held by Anthony Rendon and Ian Desmond, is important to Bell, who’s active in charitable efforts off the field and has been throughout his career.

“Baseball is a wonderful game that has given so much to me and taught me many valuable life lessons,” Bell said. “I am humbled to serve as the Player Ambassador to the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy and to have the opportunity to share my love of baseball with the kids and all it has taught me. I cannot wait to be part of the Academy family and to begin forging meaningful relationships with the Scholar Athletes soon.”

Before he was traded from the Pirates to the Nationals on Dec. 24, 2020, Bell was heavily involved in community projects during his time with the Pirates. He was Pittsburgh’s Roberto Clemente Award nominee, which recognizes a player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. Bell has wasted no time getting involved in his new community, launching a book club focused on self-improvement in partnership with the Nationals in April.