The Washington Nationals announced several moves on Tuesday, including James Wood headed to the injured list
When it rains, it pours for the Washington Nationals.
One day after exiting the game early, the Washington Nationals have announced that outfielder James Wood has been placed on the ten day injured list with what the team called a "subtle, mild oblique strain."
Wood, 23, exited in the eighth inning of Monday's loss against the Philadelphia Phillies after suffering an injury during his at bat in the sixth inning. Wood briefly stayed in the game after his at bat before Dylan Crews replaced him in right field to close the game. Manager Blake Butera said postgame that Wood would undergo additional testing to determine the severity of the injury as the Nationals hope the quick return materializes for its two-time All Star selection.
It marks a deflating yet expected reality for the Nationals, who enter Tuesday night looking to end a six game losing streak in the midst of the second consecutive four-game divisional series, this time against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Wood heads to the injured list ranked top ten across all players with 30 home runs, 73 RBIs and a .928 OPS. Though he does head to the bench just 2-for-17 across the last five games, Wood has put together another career season while cutting down on his strikeout rate compared to a record-setting 2025 season. Wood sits just one home run away and 37 hits away from tying his career high, while his .265 batting average would mark a new career high if the regular season ended today. Wood joined CJ Abrams as two of the three Nationals who represented the franchise at the All Star game last month.
Notes
- with Wood headed to the injured list, the Nationals are expected to call up outfielder Andrew Pickney, setting the stage for the 25 year old to make his MLB debut. With Triple A Rochester, Pickney is hitting .271 with 13 home runs and 51 RBIs so far in 2026.
- left handed pitcher Will Dion, who was one of four players acquired in the trade with the Cleveland Guardians in the Foster Griffin trade, was officially activated and recalled from Triple A Rochester on Tuesday afternoon. Dion will begin his stint with the Nationals owning a 4.58 ERA and 25 strikeouts to just three walks over 12 appearances and 19.2 innings pitched this season.
- left handed pitcher Carson Palmquist will open for the Nationals on Tuesday night against the Phillies with Zack Littell expected to follow.
