Washington Nationals

The Nationals are expected to select the contract of Darren Baker from Triple-A Rochester. (Source: Spencer Nusbaum on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Baker will join the roster as one of the two players added for the September roster expansion. He will likely provide depth off the bench for the Nationals over the last month of the season.

Drew Millas is in the starting lineup for the Nationals Saturday.

Fantasy Impact: Millas will start behind the plate and bat eighth against the Cubs. He is hitting .206, with one home run, and one RBI this season.

Joey Gallo is in the starting lineup for the Nationals Saturday.

Fantasy Impact: Gallo will start at first base and bat seventh against the Cubs. He is hitting .168, with five home runs, and 13 RBI this season.

Luis Garcia is in the starting lineup for the Nationals Saturday.

Fantasy Impact: Garcia will man second base and bat third against the Cubs. He is hitting .292, with 15 home runs, 63 RBI, and 21 stolen bases this season.

Keibert Ruiz is out of the starting lineup for the Nationals Saturday.

Fantasy Impact: Ruiz will head to the bench for a day of regular rest. Drew Millas will start behind the plate and bat eighth against the Cubs.

Ildemaro Vargas is out of the starting lineup for the Nationals Saturday.

Fantasy Impact: Vargas will head to the bench after going 2-for-4 Friday. Luis Garcia will start at second base and bat third against the Cubs.

Juan Yepez is out of the starting lineup for the Nationals Saturday.

Fantasy Impact: Yepez will head to the bench after going hitless Friday. Andres Chaparro will serve as the DH and bat fourth against the Cubs.

Jake Irvin struggled mightily, surrendering seven earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six over 4 2/3 innings in Friday's 7-6 loss to the Cubs.

Fantasy Impact: This outing was a significant blow to Irvin's otherwise stable season, where he maintained a decent ERA and WHIP. His performance in this game inflated his ERA from 4.08 to a less flattering figure, potentially raising alarms for fantasy managers relying on him for stable starts. Given the volatility shown here and a FIP that suggests some underlying issues, fantasy managers might consider this start a red flag and assess his role in their rotations carefully, especially in critical matchups.

Dylan Crews went 1-for-5 in the Nationals' 7-6 loss to the Cubs with a home run, one run scored, and one RBI.

Fantasy Impact: Despite the team's defeat, Crews's ability to connect for a home run highlights his potential power at the plate, which fantasy managers should find encouraging. With a batting average of .313 and a wOBA of .475 through his first four games, Crews is showing signs of being a valuable fantasy asset, especially if he can maintain his power-hitting and improve his contact rate. However, his high strikeout rate and low walk rate suggest some volatility in his performance, so fantasy managers might want to temper expectations until he shows more consistency.

Trevor Williams is scheduled to face live hitters in a simulated game on Saturday. (Source: Andrew Golden on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Williams is scheduled to throw two innings. He'll likely begin a rehab assignment soon if all goes well.

CJ Abrams returns to the lineup for the Washington Nationals against the Chicago Cubs Friday. (Source: Washington Nationals on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Abrams is back after taking a seat on the bench for routine rest Wednesday, starting at shortstop and batting seventh against the Cubs for manager Dave Martinez Friday.

Kyle Finnegan notched his 34th save of the season, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one in a scoreless inning as the Nationals topped the Yankees 5-2 on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: Despite a somewhat rocky path navigating through the inning, Finnegan managed to keep the Yankees at bay without surrendering any runs. His performance this season has been a mixed bag, characterized by a decent ERA of 3.52 and a WHIP of 1.25, but his FIP of 4.60 and a lower K/9 rate suggest some underlying concerns. Fantasy managers should be cautious; while he's racking up saves, his peripherals indicate potential volatility. Holding onto Finnegan might be wise for now due to his role, but be prepared for some bumps along the way.

James Wood went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in the Nationals' 5-2 win over the Yankees, adding three stolen bases to his performance.

Fantasy Impact: Wood's ability to swipe bases was on full display, significantly boosting his fantasy value in categories that reward speed. Despite striking out twice, his aggressive base running and consistent contact at the plate highlight his potential as a multi-category contributor. With a solid .280 average and an increasing stolen base tally now at 11 for the season, Wood is shaping up to be a valuable asset for fantasy teams needing a boost in runs and steals. His high BABIP suggests some regression might be on the horizon, but his speed and growing role in the Nationals' lineup keep his outlook optimistic.

MacKenzie Gore delivered a solid performance, allowing two earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six over six innings in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Yankees.

Fantasy Impact: This outing was a bright spot in what has been a challenging season for Gore, whose ERA and WHIP have been sources of concern for fantasy managers. His ability to maintain a high strikeout rate (9.5 K/9) continues to be his saving grace, providing value despite the high ERA and WHIP. The improvement in his fielding independent pitching to 3.76 suggests some bad luck with a .365 BABIP, indicating potential for better outcomes. Fantasy managers should consider this performance encouraging, but it's wise to remain cautious given the overall season metrics.

The Nationals have recalled Orlando Ribalta from Triple-A Rochester. (Source: Nationals on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Ribalta will take the roster spot of the injured Joan Adon. The 26-year-old has a 2.64 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP in 44 games in Triple-A this season.

The Nationals have placed Joan Adon on the 15-day IL with a right bicep strain. (Source: Nationals on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Adon has been out of action already for a week, forcing the Nationals to make a move for a healthy arm for the bullpen. Orlando Ribalta was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Nasim Nunez is in the starting lineup for the Nationals Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: Nunez will start at shortstop and bat ninth against the Yankees. He is hitting .250 with four stolen bases through 24 at-bats this season.

Patrick Corbin delivered an outstanding performance in Tuesday's 4-2 victory over the Yankees. He tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out six.

Fantasy Impact: Despite a challenging season marked by a 5.50 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP over 27 starts, this outing was a bright spot, showcasing his potential to dominate a strong lineup. His season-long struggles with consistency suggest that while this performance could boost his confidence, fantasy managers should remain cautious. Corbin's ability to replicate such outings consistently will be key to determining his fantasy relevance as the season progresses.

Mitchell Parker took the loss Monday, allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over four innings against the Yankees.

Fantasy Impact: This performance slightly worsens his already middling season stats, nudging his ERA up to 4.26 and his WHIP to 1.26. Despite a respectable strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.21 and a BABIP of .293, Parker's inability to pitch deep into games and his elevated 4.11 FIP suggest ongoing volatility. Fantasy managers should view him as a risky play, primarily useful in deeper leagues or as a streaming option against less formidable lineups. His strikeout rate of 7.7 K/9 continues to offer some upside, but consistency remains elusive for the Nationals' left-hander.

Derek Law (elbow) is throwing a bullpen on Monday. (Source: Mark Zuckerman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Law is expected to progress through is rehab with a few more bullpen sessions and then live batting practice. The Nationals are hopeful that he will return from the IL when first eligible.