Joey

Wiemer

It looks to be just a routine day of rest for the 23-year-old outfielder. Joey Wiemer will start in his place in the Nationals’ outfield and will bat sixth against Giants’ southpaw Robbie Ray on Sunday afternoon in Washington.

Young was hit by a pitch during Thursday’s game. Fortunately, additional testing revealed no structural damage and the 26-year-old outfielder should be able to return to action in a day or two. Joey Wiemer will draw a start in his place in center field and will bat fifth for the Nationals against Giants’ right-hander Logan Webb on Friday night.

Weimer was 6-for-6 with two walks coming into the game. In the first, he hit a soft grounder and was initially called out at first, only to have the out overturned on replay. He then singled again in the third before finally being retired in the fifth. The Nationals might as well keep using Wiemer while he’s hot, though the plan initially was just to start him against left-handers. He probably won’t have any lasting fantasy value, but stranger things have happened.

Thomson was served an automatic ejection for arguing a first-inning call that was overturned by replay review. The Phillies were trailing 4-0 already when he was booted from the contest. It’s worth noting here because the challenge extended Joey Wiemer’s remarkable on-base streak to nine consecutive plate appearances.

It’s Wiemer’s first start against a right-handed starter this season, but he has gone 6-for-6 with two home runs to start the season, so it was bound to happen. Jacob Young is getting his first day off today, which allowed Wiemer to slide into center field with James Wood moving into right field and Jose Tena entering the lineup at designated hitter.

Joey Wiemer has played in two games in 2026, and he’s gone 3-for-3 with a homer in both of them. He added the three-bagger for good measure and also drew a walk. Obviously, Wiemer isn’t going to do this every night, but if he does, it’d be pretty cool. It’s a reminder that Wiemer was a legitimate top prospect not that long ago with the Brewers, and he’s certainly capable of bashing lefties.

What were we thinking being worried about the Nationals offense? Jacob Young and Brady House joined Wiemer in homering today. Wiemer’s blast off Matthew Boyd was recorded at 110.5 mph, his hardest-hit ball in the majors or in Triple-A since he reached 110.0 mph in 2024. The Nationals figured to primarily play him against lefties, but there’s plenty of upward mobility possibilities in D.C. Maybe he’ll get the nod Friday against Cade Horton after his showing today.

Weimer crushed a 426-foot (106.7 mph EV) three-run shot off of Hunter Hayes in the second inning that briefly tied the score at 3-3. That would wind up being the extent of the Nationals’ offense though. It has been a rough spring offensively for the 27-year-old outfielder, as he’s hitting just .111 (3-for-27) with just one homer, three RBI and one stolen base. His chances of cracking the Opening Day roster have certainly diminished during Grapefruit League play.

Wiemer was once a top prospect in the Brewers organization, but spent last season with the Marlins. He hit .236/.279/.436 with three homers, 12 RBI, and a 23/2 K/BB ratio in 61 plate appearances for Miami before being designated for assignment. He was then traded to the Giants in the offseason before the Giants also designated him for assignment in December to make room for Jason Foley. Wiemer is a strong defender and will try to make the Nationals as a fourth outfielder.

Wiemer was acquired from the Marlins by the Giants in November, and there’s a good chance he won’t play a game for San Francisco. He hits the waiver wire with the signing of Jason Foley now official.