Nationals third baseman Nick Senzel suffered a damaged thumb whereas fielding a ball previous to immediately’s recreation, reviews Andrew Golden of The Washington Submit. It’s unclear how lengthy the damage will hold him out but it surely’s more likely to be at the very least a couple of weeks.
It’s an extremely unlucky improvement for a participant who has generated such pleasure however has been steadily beset by accidents. He was prepared for a contemporary begin in 2024, with the Nationals planning to have him be their on a regular basis third baseman, however he’ll as an alternative be dealing with one more damage setback.
Senzel, 29 in June, was chosen by the Reds with the second total choose in 2016 and was thought of one of many prime prospects within the league as he climbed the minor league ladder. However since he made his main league debut in 2019, he has made frequent journeys to the injured record, having by no means performed greater than 110 video games or taken greater than 420 plate appearances in a season. He has undergone surgical procedure to restore a torn finger tendon, to take away bone spurs from his elbow and to handle to torn labrum in his shoulder. He’s additionally missed time as a consequence of an ankle sprain and knee accidents, one in every of them requiring arthroscopic surgical procedure.
Round all these illnesses, his efficiency has been underwhelming. He has hit .239/.302/.369 in his 1,366 main league plate appearances, which interprets to a wRC+ of 77. He was non-tendered by the Reds after final yr, then the Nats determined to take an opportunity on him, giving him a $2MM deal.
They have been undoubtedly hoping {that a} change of surroundings and a few common taking part in time may assist him get again to the shape that made him such a hyped-up prospect. Supervisor Dave Martinez mentioned means again in December that the membership was planning to put in him as an on a regular basis third baseman, exhibiting quite a lot of religion in Senzel. However as an alternative, he’s now dealing with one more damage absence.
For so long as he’s out, the Nats must provide you with different choices. Utility participant Ildemaro Vargas is on the roster and will maybe step in for a time. Jake Alu can be on the 40-man roster and may play a number of positions. Carter Kieboom, like Senzel, is a former first-round choose with a diminished inventory lately. He’s out of choices and was outrighted off the roster a few weeks in the past. Trey Lipscomb had a scorching spring however isn’t on the 40-man both.
How the membership proceeds might depend upon how lengthy Senzel is anticipated to be out. However for now, it’s not the begin to the 2024 season that Senzel or the Nationals have been hoping for.