In his first appearance since heading to the injured list, Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood went 1-for-3 for the Harrisburg Senators on Sunday
Sunday marked yet another embarrassing chapter for the Washington Nationals after six runs by the Miami Marlins cemented the 35th blown save of the season, yet it also marked an encouraging step outside of Nationals Park as one of the team's best players made his return to the diamond.
James Wood made his first return to the diamond since facing the Philadelphia Phillies back on Aug. 3 when he took the field as the starting left fielder for the Harrisburg Senators, the Nationals' Double A affiliate. The appearance came one day after manager Blake Butera revealed that Wood is unlikely to need a rehab assignment, instead noting that if all trends well, Wood could make his return to the Nationals' lineup in the coming days.
Wood would kick off his day with an impressive feat after belting an opposite field home run in the sixth inning, helping the Senators chip away in an eventual 5-4 win over the Chesapeake Bay Sox. Wood ended his day 1-for-3 from the plate with a strikeout, but whether it marks his final rehab game before returning from the injured list as Butera noted the two sides would speak following Sunday's results.
Wood, 23, exited in the eighth inning of the loss earlier this month 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. Despite eventually being placed on the ten day injured list, the Nationals expressed consistent patience surrounding his recovery as the postseason outlook grew more faint as the regular season progressed and front office turned to sellers at the trade deadline.
The two time All Star made his way to the injured list with 30 home runs, 73 RBIs and a .928 OPS so far in 2026. Though he did make his way 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 near 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, who made his first career start at second base on Sunday, as two of the three Nationals who represented the franchise at the All Star game last month.
