Robert

Hassell III

Hassell was outrighted off the 40-man roster on Sunday, so he won’t cost a 40-man roster spot for the Pirates. He’s hit just .215/.304/.289 with two homers in 258 plate appearances at Triple-A Rochester. The Pirates will likely see if some time in Indianapolis will bring his bat back to life.

The 24-year-old outfielder has spent the entire season at Triple-A Rochester where he has slashed just .215/.304/.289 with two homers, 21 RBI, eight stolen bases and a 67/28 K/BB ratio across 258 plate appearances. Even with his constant struggles at the plate, you’d have to think that there are going to be teams willing to take a chance on the former top prospect on waivers.

Gray will get a chance to ramp up in the minors after missing all of 2025 due to Tommy John surgery. Hassell being optioned down is likely good news for Joey Wiemer’s chances of winning a bench spot.

The 24-year-old has hit .247 in 33 games since being called back up after the All-Star break. That has come with two home runs, 14 runs scored, and three steals, so he’s certainly not a player you need to roster in most fantasy formats. Jacob Young will start in center field and bat ninth in Game 1.

Lile will sit out his second straight game due to an ongoing illness. It’ll be Robert Hassell III in right field on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium in his absence.

Crews is going to play four or five innings for Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday and then head to D.C. in time for the four-game series against the Phillies. The 23-year-old was a popular breakout candidate coming into this season, but he has hit just .196/.266/.354 in 45 games before getting hurt. However, he did have seven home runs and 11 steals, so there remains true five-category upside here, and Crews is worth at least a bench stash in 12-team leagues and deeper. He played primarily right field when he was active earlier in the season, but can also play center field, so it remains to be seen if he will bump Daylen Lile or Robert Hassell III from the lineup.

The 26-year-old outfielder has been a major disappointment this season, slashing just .224/.292/.263 with zero home runs, 19 RBI and 12 stolen bases across 292 plate appearances. Robert Hassell III will start in his place in center field and will bat ninth for the Nats against Royals’ right-hander Michael Wacha.

García Jr. sat against a left-handed pitcher yesterday, but will be in the lineup against lefty Jacob Lopez today. Brady House will take a seat with Paul DeJong starting at third base, and Josh Bell will also be on the bench with James Wood at DH and Robert Hassell III in right field.

In his second game back from the minors following the trade of Alex Call, Hassell put the Nationals’ only runs on the board with a two-run homer off Brandon Woodruff in the third inning. It was the second home run of the season for the 23-year-old outfielder while hitting .241/.250/.337 over 84 plate appearances.

Hassell gets another chance after Alex Call was dealt from the Dodgers. The 23-year-old hit just .218/.228/.269 while with the Nationals in his previous stint, but there is offensive upside for those looking for some outfield help over the final two months.