Rafael

Bautista

Bautista, 23, hit .282/.344/.341 with four homers and 56 stolen bases in 2016. The speedster is now protected from the Rule 5 Draft.

Bautista did a nice job in his limited Grapefruit League action, hitting .333 (9-for-27) with a pair of doubles and two RBI, though he sported a troublesome 6/0 K/BB ratio. The 23-year-old speedster should begin the season as the starting center fielder at Triple-A Syracuse.

He’ll take the place of the injured Adam Eaton, who is presumably heading to the disabled list after leaving Friday’s game with an ankle injury. Bautista, 24, is a speedster who’s hitting .291/.325/.354 with no homers, two RBI and three stolen bases in 19 games at Triple-A Syracuse. He should see some starts while Eaton is sidelined, but most of the at-bats figure to go to Michael Taylor.

He replaces the injured Adam Eaton on the Nationals’ roster. It’s unclear if he’ll be utilized as the regular center fielder in Eaton’s absence, or if he’ll function in a reserve role while Michael Taylor draws most of the starts. Stay tuned to Saturday’s starting lineup to see which way manager Dusty Baker goes.

The Nationals called up Brian Goodwin to take his spot on the active roster. Bautista was called up after Adam Eaton (knee, ankle) landed on the disabled list and went 1-for-8 with a walk and a striekout over five games.

Harper hasn’t played since leaving Thursday’s game with groin tightness, though there’s no indication he’ll be placed on the disabled list. Rafael Bautista is filling in for him at right field and batting seventh against Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez. Harper’s .376 average this year is good for third-best in the major leagues behind Justin Turner and teammate Ryan Zimmerman.

Bautista was only up in the majors for Sunday’s doubleheader against the Mets. Jayson Werth was activated off the 60-day disabled list in a corresponding roster move.

Bautista is getting a start in the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Mets. He could receive additional starts, as well, with the Nats’ outfield so banged up.

Bautista batted just .250/.290/.313 with zero home runs and seven stolen bases in 43 games this season at the Triple-A level. He’ll serve as a pinch-runner and defensive sub down the stretch for Washington.

The Nationals have yet to make an official announcement, but Shawn Kelley (elbow) is expected to land on the disabled list in one of the corresponding roster moves. Jamal Collier of MLB.com notes that Matt Reynolds was packing up his things after Monday’s game, so that’s likely the other move. Bautista and Sanchez will offer some bench depth -- with the latter possibly picking up a couple of starts -- but they aren’t fantasy relevant.