Injuries & Moves: Yepez's contract selected
This browser does not support the video element.
LATEST NEWS
July 5: 1B Juan Yepez's contract selected from Triple-A Rochester; RHP Josiah Gray transferred to 60-day IL
After Joey Meneses was optioned to Rochester, Yepez was called up from the Red Wings to play first base for the Nationals. Yepez hit .263 with 15 doubles, 11 home runs, 41 RBIs, 38 runs, 40 walks and three stolen bases in 74 Triple-A games this season. He was in the starting lineup on Friday to face his former club, the Cardinals.
“We brought him up to play first base … and I really want to see what he can do if you give him some at-bats,” manager Dave Martinez said.
In a corresponding move to clear space on the 40-man roster, Gray (right elbow/forearm flexor strain) was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
July 4: 1B/DH Joey Meneses optioned to Triple-A
Meneses batted .231 with a .597 OPS, three home runs and 43 RBIs in 76 games this season. He shifted from designated hitter to starting first baseman when Joey Gallo (left hamstring strain) was placed on the IL on June 12.
“I reiterated, ‘You’re going to come back here. It’s almost like just to kind of get you to relax a little bit and just find the consistency in your swing,’” manager Dave Martinez said. “We’ve done this before with pitching just to kind of give guys a little break. … I could see that he was really getting frustrated, and that to me was the key.”
10-day/15-day injured list
1B Joey Gallo (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: Second half of season
An MRI on June 14 revealed a “significant” left hamstring strain, per manager Dave Martinez. He is hitting in the cage and running. “We’ve still got some time,” Martinez said of Gallo’s rehab. Gallo sustained the injury while running out a ground ball on June 11. There is no timeframe for his return. (Last updated: July 5)
RHP Trevor Williams (right flexor muscle strain)
Expected return: Second half of season
Williams is playing catch up to 60 feet. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 4, retroactive to June 1. (Last updated: July 5)
1B/3B, Yohandy Morales (left thumb injury, No. 4 on Nationals Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: TBD
The infield prospect was placed on the 7-day injured list due to a thumb injury on May 21, retroactive to May 20. He was removed from Double-A Harrisburg's game on May 18 after being tagged out while sliding head first into home plate. As of June 26, he was back to throwing and running, and the Nationals planned to reevaluate him in a few weeks. If all goes well, a hitting progression would begin soon after that reevaluation. (Last updated: June 26)
60-day IL
RHP Josiah Gray (right elbow/forearm flexor strain)
Expected return: TBD
Gray is shut down from throwing, and following the All-Star break, he will undergo an MRI and meet with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister. He experienced arm fatigue and decreased velocity on almost all of his pitches, including a drop of more than 2 mph on his four-seam fastball, in his latest rehab start on June 30. Gray was placed on the IL on April 9, retroactive to April 6, and he was transferred to the 60-day IL on July 5 to clear space on the 40-man roster. (Last updated: July 5)
LHP Jose A. Ferrer (teres major strain)
Expected return: Second half of season
Ferrer began a rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg on July 2. His fastball ranged between 97-99 mph in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League. Ferrer was placed on the 60-day IL on March 24. (Last updated: July 3)
RHP Cade Cavalli (Tommy John surgery; No. 5 on Nationals' Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: Second half of season
After dealing with a case of the flu during his rehab assignment, Cavalli will get ramped back up with the Nationals. This will include playing catch and throwing bullpen sessions while back with the Nats. Cavalli underwent Tommy John surgery on March 22, 2023. (Last updated: July 2)
RHP Mason Thompson (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Thompson, 26, underwent his second Tommy John surgery on March 1 after previously undergoing the procedure in high school. He was placed on the 60-day IL on March 24. (Last updated: March 24)