Washington

Nationals

Abrams put the Nats on the board in the first inning with a base hit to drive in Luis García Jr. before scoring on a triple. He then singled in the fifth and drove in one more run with his third hit in the seventh. Abrams would cross home one more time on a throwing error. The 25-year-old shortstop is having an incredible season, hitting .291/.380/.524 with 14 homers, 45 runs scored, 53 RBI, and 10 steals across 295 plate appearances.

García reached on a throwing error in the first inning and scored on a single by CJ Abrams. He then gave the Nationals the lead with a two-run blast off Luis Castillo in the fifth inning for his ninth home run of the season before he was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the seventh. The 26-year-old second baseman is hitting .260/.286/.470 with 28 runs scored and 43 RBI across 224 plate appearances.

Cavalli got off to a good start, tossing four scoreless innings. The Mariners would get to him in the fifth, bringing three runs in on a hit batter, base hit, and two-run homer by Colt Emerson. Cavalli’s day would be done after five at 81 pitches. He struck out five. The 27-year-old right-hander will take a 3.98 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and an 81/25 K/BB ratio across 74 2/3 innings into a start against the Rays in Tampa Bay on Friday.

Poulin returns to Washington’s relief corps after spending a couple weeks in the minors. The 29-year-old southpaw has compiled a serviceable 3.28 ERA and 17/16 K/BB ratio across 24 2/3 innings for the Nationals this season.

Conelio earns a ticket back to the minors after throwing 73 pitches over 4 1/3 innings in relief during Friday’s blowout loss to the Mariners. The 26-year-old rookie boasts an underwhelming 6.48 ERA across 8 1/3 innings over three appearances this season.

Crews has hit two homers this month, but that’s about all he’s done while getting regular playing time. He’s hitting .189/.241/.324 in 20 games so far. It should be noted that his expected batting average is .258, but those metrics are a little noisy in this small of a sample size. Given how poorly he’s done at the bigs so far in his career, a contending team probably wouldn’t wait this out. The Nationals might be willing to humor it for a while longer though.

After three line outs in the first inning, Littell allowed five of the next seven batters to reach -- the two that didn’t were a sacrifice fly and another lineout -- before Nats manager Drew Butera had seen enough. The Nationals will keep starting Littell hoping to get innings, but you certainly aren’t encouraged to do the same in fantasy baseball. Assuming he stays in the rotation, he’ll draw the Royals next week.

The 30-year-old right-hander loses his spot on the Nationals’ 40-man roster after the club claimed Jhancarlos Lara off of waivers from the Braves on Friday. Fernández pitched well in three appearances for the Nationals this season, registering a 2.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and a 3/2 K/BB ratio over four innings. He could attract some interest on waivers.

The 23-year-old hurler was designated for assignment on Wednesday after posting an 8.22 ERA and 21/29 K/BB ratio over 15 1/3 innings at Double-A Mississippi. The Nationals see something they can work with though and will give him a 40-man roster spot for the time being.

Griffin allowed six hits without walking anyone, lowering his ERA to 3.46 this season. This one got wild once he departed, with the Nationals losing 11-10 despite leading 9-1 in the bottom of the eighth. Griffin has been Washington’s most consistent starter this year, and he’ll remain on the fantasy radar with a home matchup versus the Royals up next.