MacKenzie Gore returned to the lineup on Thursday after being activated from the 15-Day IL. James Wood also receives recent rest. The team as a whole has been relatively hot. This time of year is pretty dead on the Washington Nationals front, but I always like to turn oranges into orange juice. This season has been over for quite some time, but the future adds some brightness. How has this team been doing, and how should they aim to do in the last few weeks?
MacKenzie Gore Returns from IL
The Nationals ace was put on the 15-Day IL a couple weeks ago with shoulder discomfort. As a precaution, Miguel Cairo decided that he should go on the IL. That is absolutely the right move as there in no season to risk further injury to your pitching ace. Nonetheless, MacKenzie Gore made his return to the Nationals on Thursday Night.
The start went very solid, allowing just 2 Earned Runs over 5 Innings. He recorded 2 BBs and struckout four. His pitch total was 78, and all went quite well.
As for the rest of the season, MacKenzie Gore is due just two more starts this season as the team goes to a 6-man rotation. What should we hope to see? Quality baseball, and no setbacks. MacKenzie Gore is likely going to be the ace again next season, so end on a high note.
Daylen Lile is Red Hot
The goal down the stretch has been to grow and mold the contingent of young Nationals prospects. Daylen Lile has been the prime example of what this team must continue to do. The star left-fielder is on an 11-Game Hit Streak right now. Of those 11 games, 8 have been of multiple hits. In this time, that batting average equates to .422 . His batting average since the All-Star break? How about .322.
Daylen Lile is on his way to locking up the left-field job in 2026. He may have come up to the majors sooner than expected, but progress is progress, so kudos to him.
James Wood is Eased Up
In another cautionary move, the Nationals have been resting James Wood down the stretch. In fact, he sat out for the Nationals Thursday game at the Marlins. James Wood has been a DH every so often, but he has been ramped up in his rest recently. Prior to his absence on Thursday, James Wood has been the DH in 4 of the last 7 games.
This has provided for further playing time to Daylen Lile, Robert Hassell, and of course, Dylan Crews. Great stuff by Miguel Cairo getting the youth worked out in September. It is vital to see what you may have, not what you know you already have.