James Wood becomes the first from the Washington Nationals organization to win the award since 2024
After a weekend with the team clicking on the road, Monday night proved to be anything but something to celebrate for the Washington Nationals after being dominated by the Pittsburgh Pirates en route to a 16-5 loss, but there was a little bit of good news ahead of the first pitch.
Nationals right fielder James Wood was named the National League Player of the Week after exploding last week. The award makes Wood the first Nationals player to be named National League Player of the Week since Eddie Rosario won it back on May 13, 2024.
In six games through the week, Wood went 12-for-22 (.545) while notching both three doubles and home runs, eight runs, eight RBIs and a pair of steals to help lead the Nationals to four wins, including the series sweep on the road.
Wood also notched a hit in every game during that span including four consecutive multi-hit games. That also included home runs in three consecutive games despite the Nationals dropping two of those at home.
Heading into Tuesday, Wood ranks tied for seventh across the league with five home runs while his 14 RBIs ranks tied for eighth in 2026.
The encouraging sign? Wood totaled just five strikeouts last week, curbing a concerning trend that began in the second half of the 2025 season.
During the five games in March to open the regular season, Wood finished just 3-for-22 for 11 strikeouts, paving the way for early concern over the Nationals star.
He also notched both a home run and steal at home in Sunday's third consecutive win against the Brewers, becoming the first player to accomplish the feat since the franchise moved to Washington, DC back in 2005.
The latest accolade marks an encouraging sign after manager Blake Butera pointed to Wood as one who was looking to put a complete season together with aspirations of returning to the All Star game.
"He stuck with this process as you know, with his disposition. Never shows, stress or frustration and just kind of kept after it and I said a good week," said manager Blake Butera ahead of Monday's loss.
Still, Wood will look to be part of the Nationals' efforts to get back on track when they face the Pirates in game two on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 6:40 PM with Miles Mikolas set to take the mound again.