Shortly after the Washington Nationals secured the series win against the Chicago Cubs, another player was sent down to Triple A Rochester
Shortly after taking down the Chicago Cubs to take the rubber match and secure the first series of the Blake Butera era, the Washington Nationals made another move on Sunday afternoon.
First baseman Andres Chaparro has been optioned to Triple A Rochester, the team announced roughly an hour after the win.
The move comes in accordance with the trade from Saturday when the Nationals traded catcher Boston Smith to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for infielder Curtis Mead, who was set to be designated for assignment days before the move after being out of minor league options and not making the 2026 Opening Day Roster.
Chaparro was one of five players that the Nationals received in exchange for trading ace starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers back in mid-January, quickly materializing into an immediate candidate to step in as another to watch in the race to become the first baseman in 2026.
Chaparro started at first base in both starts so far in the regular season, opening the season 2-for-3 including a double before striking out in two of his three at bats in Sunday's win. He also made an appearance in Saturday's loss where he drew a walk after stepping in as a pinch hitter for Jose Tena.
The former Rangers prospect was also a frequent appearance in the lineups through spring training after drawing 39 at bats in 19 games, hitting .154 with a pair of home runs and five RBIs to go with 12 strikeouts and six walks.
After drawing buzz all offseason as a candidate to take over the position, Luis Garcia Jr. has also stepped back in at first base after drawing the start in Saturday's loss. How Chaparro impacts season plans at the position will be the next question given the 26 year old arrived as one of the more MLB-ready players in the haul of players that the Nationals added this offseason.
Washington also made additional moves ahead of the start of the regular season after watching the first base competition through spring training. Warming Bernabel and Matt Mervis, two candidates in the mix in the position battle, were also designated for assignment despite an encouraging spring from Bernabel. Mervis, meanwhile, was one of two Nationals who suited up in the World Baseball Classic, though he struggled as Team Israel was quickly eliminated from the preseason tournament.