Beltway Notes: Wooden, Thomas, Wells, Webb

One of many chief questions surrounding the Nationals this season is when star prospect James Wood might be making his Main League debut, although that debate is perhaps placed on maintain whereas Wooden overcomes a minor harm.  Wooden left Thursday’s Triple-A sport with tightness in his proper hamstring, and Nats supervisor Davey Martinez informed reporters (together with Andrew Golden of the Washington Post) that the removing was precautionary in nature.

We may study as early as right now whether or not or not this harm is severe sufficient to advantage a stint on the seven-day minor league IL, or if Wooden may doubtlessly be able to go after one other day or two of relaxation.  Naturally the workforce goes to be as cautious as potential with Wooden on condition that, if wholesome, he appears to be forcing the problem of a call-up.  Acquired from the Padres as a part of the Juan Soto commerce package deal in 2022, Wooden was a consensus top-15 prospect in baseball even earlier than he began obliterating Triple-A pitching.  The 21-year-old is hitting .355/.465/.596 over 202 plate appearances with Triple-A Rochester, with 9 homers and 10 steals (in 11 tries).

Extra from the Nationals and the Orioles…

• It has now been a month since a Grade 2 MCL sprain despatched Lane Thomas to Washington’s 10-day injured record, and Martinez informed Golden and firm that Thomas can be re-evaluated this weekend.  This might doubtlessly imply an activation from the IL, or maybe only a transfer as much as Triple-A video games within the subsequent stage of Thomas’ rehab task.  Thomas has already performed in 4 video games with Double-A Harrisburg, and Martinez mentioned that Thomas has been slightly sore however in any other case feeling okay in his return to motion.  Thomas was off to a sluggish begin (.184/.250/.253) over his first 96 PA of the season, however the outfielder was the Nationals’ most constant hitter in 2023, with 28 homers and a .268/.315/.468 slash line over 682 PA.
• The Orioles’ pitching depth has once more grow to be a speaking level with John Means and Dean Kremer each hitting the 15-day injured record in the previous few days.  Tyler Wells has been on the IL since mid-April attributable to elbow irritation, and the righty will begin taking part in catch this week, supervisor Brandon Hyde informed reporters (together with Matt Weyrich of the Baltimore Sun).  This represents one thing of a restart of Wells’ restoration program, as Wells was shut down with extra soreness after making an attempt some catch at first of Could.  Given the setback, it will seem as if Wells continues to be a number of weeks away from a return to the 26-man roster, as he’ll have to ramp up earlier than even beginning a minor league rehab task.  Wells has a strong 3.93 ERA over 222 1/3 innings for Baltimore during the last two seasons, working principally as a starter although some struggles value him his rotation spot final 12 months.
• Proper-hander Nathan Webb will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after present process left Achilles tendon surgical procedure, as Webb himself introduced on his Instagram page.  Webb underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in spring 2023 and was slated to return to the mound round midseason.  “I used to be just a few weeks away from moving into video games after rehabbing….nonetheless, the excellent news is that I’ll make a full restoration and be one hundred pc prepared for Spring Coaching 2025,” Webb wrote.  The most recent harm gained’t affect Webb’s standing with the Orioles, because the membership signed him to a two-year minor league contract final October with the understanding that Webb would already be lacking a giant chunk of the 2024 marketing campaign.  The 26-year-old Webb has but to make his MLB debut, and he has a 6.11 ERA over 268 minor league innings within the Royals’ farm system.