James Wood (oblique) won’t return this week

Wood has been diagnosed with a mild oblique strain, which means his absence will likely be on the shorter end of the spectrum. However, he’s likely to remain on the shelf until at least mid-to-late August. The 23-year-old rising star suffered the injury on an awkward swing during the sixth inning of Monday’s game against the Phillies. It’s a colossal loss for the Nationals, and fantasy managers, as Wood has delivered top-five overall fantasy value this season, slashing .265/.393/.535 with 100 runs scored, 30 homers, 73 RBI and 17 stolen bases across 535 plate appearances in 114 games. There should be a definitive return timetable once Wood is cleared to resume baseball activities.

Gulp. Wood was lifted for a defensive replacement in the eighth inning of Monday’s series opener against the Phillies after going 1-for-4 at the plate. He suffered the injury on a sixth-inning swing. The obvious fear here is an oblique issue, which would likely result in a multi-week absence. The 23-year-old burgeoning star has delivered first-round fantasy value this season with a stellar 30-homer, 17-steal campaign. There should be a definitive update on his status heading into Tuesday’s contest. It certainly sounds like a trip to the injured list could be in play. Stay tuned.

Wood connected for a game-tying two-run blast in the fifth and later hit a solo shot in the eighth to give Washington some insurance. He’s up to 30 homers in 2026, which makes him the first National since Adam Dunn in 2009-2010 to do so in back-to-back seasons. CJ Abrams also homered twice, giving the Nats two of the top eight home run leaders in MLB. The franchise has only ever had two 40-homer campaigns, a mark both Wood and Abrams could reach this year.

Wood homered in all three games against the Yankees, and he hit a leadoff shot in back-to-back games. He also drew a pair of walks, and he ends the first half with 28 homers, 64 RBI and an excellent .279/.410/.575 slash over 96 games with 15 steals for good measure. That’ll work.

Wood crushed the first pitch he saw, leading off the first inning with a solo homer off Cam Schlittler. He later added a pair of base hits in the seventh and ninth, ending his day slashing .278/.407/.567 with 27 homers, 88 runs scored, 63 RBI, and 15 steals across 450 plate appearances.

Wood joined Keibert Ruiz in going back-to-back off Yankees left-hander Tim Hill in the seventh inning to give the Nationals the lead. He also scored on a leadoff double in the third, scoring on a Dylan Crews double play ball. Wood, now hitting .391/.588/1.087 in his last seven games, with four home runs and two stolen bases, is very good at baseball.

Last year, Wood hit his 24th homer in his 92nd game of the season and then need 22 games to finally connect on his 25th. This year, Wood also hit his 24th homer in his 92nd game and then needed about 24 hours to connect on No. 25. It seems like a good omen as he looks to finish with more than 31 this time around.

Wood’s 446-foot grand slam off Astros reliever AJ Blubaugh traveled a staggering 446 feet to straightaway center field and gave Washington a commanding six-run lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. It was his 24th big fly of the year. He also walked three times and picked up his 14th stolen base of the season in this one. The 23-year-old rising star was named to his second consecutive All-Star Game over the weekend and continues to deliver first-round caliber fantasy value this season, hitting .268/.398/.541 with 81 runs scored, 24 homers, 60 RBI and 14 steals through 92 games.

Wood clobbered his seventh leadoff blast of the season into the upper deck at Nationals Park, providing some fireworks during Washington’s annual Fourth of July matinee. The gargantuan 428-foot moonshot off Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft carried a stratospheric 113.1 mph exit velocity. It was his 23rd round-tripper of the season. He also walked twice in the contest as the Nationals were shut out over the final eight innings by Ashcraft and a quartet of Pirates relievers.

Wood was in a mini slump entering Wednesday’s action, batting .167/.233/.296 with a 40% strikeout rate dating back to June 17. The offensive explosion by the entire lineup helped get him back on track, and he now has 22 homers this season to go along with 13 steals and a league-leading 75 runs. No other hitter has more than 60. If Wood can steady the ship from here on out, he’ll be in consideration as one of the first players selected in 2027 fantasy drafts.