Andrés Chaparro starts vs. righty, homers

The official Nationals Communications Department tweeted out six days ago about Chaparro being first in the majors in slugging and OPS since the All-Star break. Alas, actual Nationals management couldn’t care less. They’re probably right about Chaparro not being a long-term regular, but he is hitting .343/.410/.686 in his very limited action against righties this season, and it’s interesting that the team just doesn’t really want to give him a chance. Of course, it’s not helping right now that CJ Abrams is again DHing due to his ankle injury; Chaparro might have gotten the nod there tonight if Abrams was at short or second.

In a rare start against a right-handed pitcher, Chaparro showed why he may deserve to play more often. He had three batted balls of at least 104 mph and was a thorn in the side of the Rangers’ pitchers all night. His three-run home run broke this game open in the seventh inning and he could be an intriguing deep league option should he get a bit more playing time.

Ortiz takes a seat with lefty Shota Imanaga toeing the rubber for Chicago in this one. He’ll continue to sit in favor of Andrés Chaparro against most left-handers over the final few weeks of the season. The 24-year-old rookie has gone deep twice in seven games since returning to the majors last week. He’s at least worthy of a speculative roster spot in deeper mixed leagues based on his power upside.

Chaparro entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning and struck out. He redeemed himself in the eighth though, smacking a two-run double that capped off the scoring in the ballgame. For the season, the 27-year-old is now slashing .235/.348/.500 with six long balls and 28 RBI in 115 plate appearances with the Nationals this season.

Chaparro pinch hit in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and hit a two-run double to left field. He came up again in the eighth inning and had a two-out RBI single. Even after the trade deadline, it appears the Nationals are content to continue to use Chaparro mostly as a platoon bat against left-handed pitching. He’s hitting .229 with an .835 OPS and 26 RBI.

Ortiz, who homered during Monday’s series opener in Philadelphia, takes a seat with Andrés Chaparro getting the nod to face lefty Jesús Luzardo. The 24-year-old has an interesting fantasy skillset since he offers some over-the-fence pop and should bat near the heart of Washington’s lineup. He’s probably going to sit against most lefties over the final two months, but should do enough damage against right-handers to merit roster consideration in deeper mixed leagues.

Instead of just turning first base over to hot-hitting Andrés Chapparo with Luis García Jr. gone, the Nationals will take a longer look at Ortiz, who was part of the MacKenzie Gore trade with the Rangers. He was hitting .244/.348/.497 with 18 homers for Rochester. Of the two, he does have the better chance of being a useful starter against righties in 2026, and he could have some NL-only value now. Chaparro has made a case for an expanded role, but he still figures to work best as a platoon guy against lefties going forward.

Chaparro was unable to continue after being hit in the head by a pitch in the loss. While he doesn’t appear to have a concussion, Chaparro should still be considered day-to-day as the Nationals wills take precaution with a head injury.

Chaparro was hit by the pitch with the bases loaded in the fourth inning, bringing in the Nationals’ first run. He remained in the game to run the bases for himself and manned his position in the field during the home half of the fourth inning but was ultimately replaced when the Nats took the field in the fifth. He’ll likely have to pass through the concussion protocol before he’s cleared to return.

Chaparro’s home run was his fifth of the season. He pinch hit for José Tena and hit a solo shot off Adam Macko in the fifth inning. Chaparro now has four home runs in his last eight games. He’s seen nearly all of his at-bats against left-handed pitching so far, but potentially his playing time could increase after the trade deadline. Chaparro is hitting .224 with an .824 OPS and 19 RBI in 76 at-bats.