Travis

Blankenhorn

Blankenhorn bolsters Los Angeles’ outfield depth at Triple-A Salt Lake at the outset of the regular season. The 28-year-old journeyman got into 13 games last year for the Nationals and has appeared in 49 contests at the highest level dating back to 2020. He posted an .820 OPS with 26 homers in 106 games last season at the Triple-A level.

The 28-year-old cleared outright waivers after being designated for assignment last week, but he has elected free agency instead of staying with the Nationals. Blankenhorn was 4-for-31 (.129) with no home runs and five RBI in 13 games with the Nationals this year.

Blankenhorn was designated for assignment Friday after the Nationals claimed Michael Rucker, and Blankenhorn went unclaimed on waivers.

Blankenhorn was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for the recently claimed Michael Rucker. He was 4-for-31 (.129) with no home runs and five RBI in 13 games with the Nationals this year.

Blankenhorn went 4-for-31 with one extra-base hit and one walk during his three weeks with the Nationals. He could return as a utilityman in September, but Trey Lipscomb is a more likely choice.

Blankenhorn re-signed with the Nationals back in January on a minor league deal and finds himself in the majors again following the trade deadline. The 27-year-old journeyman will likely occupy a bench role for Washington moving forward.

The 27-year-old elected free agency back in October after the Nationals sent him outright to Triple-A Rochester, but after seeing what opportunities were available to him on the open market, Blankenhorn opted to re-up with the Nats. He appeared in 10 games for the big league club in 2023 — hitting .161/.297/.258 with one homer and a 6/6 K/BB ratio over 37 plate appearances.

Blankenhorn’s departure opens up a spot on Washington’s 40-man roster. The 27-year-old outfielder went unclaimed on waivers earlier this week and has refused an outright minor league assignment. He’ll test the free agent waters this offseason.

Blankenhorn figures to elect free agency to get a head start on the offseason after being removed from Washington’s 40-man roster. The versatile 27-year-old got 10 games for the Nationals after being called up at the outset of September before landing on the injured list with plantar fasciitis.

Blankenhorn tore the cover off the ball this season in the minors to earn a September call up, but has hit just .161 (5-for-31) with one homer in 10 games since. He’ll likely wind up missing the remainder of the regular season.