What's next for the Nats after Winker trade?

ST. LOUIS -- Trading a member of the starting lineup for a prospect creates many questions to be answered in the immediate future. When the Nationals traded outfielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker -- who led the team in games played -- to the Mets for right-hander Tyler Stuart (Nats’ No. 16 prospect), they were maneuvering the roster on Sunday morning.

• Nationals acquire 6-foot-9 Stuart in trade with Mets

“Harold Ramírez is going to DH today,” manager Dave Martinez said before the Nationals’ 4-3 loss to the Cardinals. “We’re going to see when Joey Gallo could come back. He’ll be that left-handed bat when he gets back, and he’s getting close. Hopefully, within the next two weeks, he’ll be back and helping us fill a spot now where he DHs, or I even might play him in right field.”

The right-handed hitting Ramírez had platooned with the lefty-hitting Winker. The increase in playing time could help Ramírez re-establish the power he exhibited last season. Ramírez batted .313 with the Rays in 2023, he was designated for assignment after beginning this season hitting .268 and he has batted .319 in his first 16 games with the Nats.

“That’s going to help me a lot because I really want to finish strong so I can stay here for a few years,” said Ramírez. “I just want to do my job and finish strong.”

After not playing since July 21, Ramírez delivered a pinch-hit, two-run double to right field in Saturday’s win. He went 2-for-4 in the start on Sunday.

“He was good,” Martinez said. “I know he can hit, and he’s been working really hard. He did really well today, he really did. He got a couple hits, so he’ll be in there tomorrow.”

The Nationals are awaiting the return of Gallo, who has been on the injured list since June 12 because of a left hamstring strain. In Gallo’s snapshot of 46 games played this season, he has a .719 OPS versus right-handers compared to .359 against southpaws.

Following the trade, the Nationals recalled outfielder Alex Call from Triple-A. He arrived in St. Louis on Sunday morning. Call, who has appeared in 170 games with the Nats since 2022, was hitting .222 with 50 RBIs this season for the Red Wings.

“Alex Call can give us versatility in the outfield and … he can pinch-hit against left-handed pitching if we need him,” Martinez said. “He’s been here before. We know what we’re going to get from him: He’s going to come out and play hard and compete. For right now, he’s the right guy.”

Martinez could find himself doing more lineup navigation before the Trade Deadline on Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET. Veteran reliever Dylan Floro, who signed a one-year deal in December, remains a top trade candidate. The 33-year-old right-hander did not allow his first home run of the season until the walk-off homer by Paul Goldschmidt on Sunday.

“All I can worry about is when the phone rings and I get the opportunity to pitch,” Floro said. “... All I can control is throwing the baseball.”

The Nationals travel from St. Louis to Phoenix on Sunday evening as the trade buzz continues to swirl.

“You hear all these names, and a lot of them happen to be rumors,” Martinez said. “I always say, ‘You’re a National ‘til you’re not, so go out there and just play baseball.’ That’s all we can do.

“My biggest thing is, you build relationships with these guys. Then all of a sudden, they leave, and that’s tough.”