Fantasy News

• Nationals' Victor Robles: Still in rehab mode

  Rotowire Apr 16, 2024

  Nationals manager Dave Martinez said April 8 that Robles has regained full range of motion and has less tenderness in his strained left hamstring, but the outfielder remains limited to rehab work, MLB.com reports. Robles has already spent the minimum 10 days on the injured list but doesn't appear close to a return from the shelf just yet, as he has yet to advance to resuming full baseball activities. At this stage of his recovery, Robles doesn't look like he'll be a realistic candidate to be activated until May. While Robles is sidelined, Jacob Young is expected to continue seeing regular run as the Nationals' primary option in center field.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Lands on IL with hamstring strain

  Rotowire Apr 4, 2024

  The Nationals placed Victor Robles (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list Thursday. After getting sent in for an MRI earlier Thursday, Robles was confirmed to have suffered a left hamstring strain while running the bases in Wednesday's win over the Pirates. In a corresponding move, the Nationals recalled Jacob Young from Triple-A Rochester, and he'll likely be called upon to serve as a short-side platoon mate in center field for Eddie Rosario.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Headed to injured list

  Rotowire Apr 4, 2024

  Robles (hamstring) will be placed on the injured list prior to Thursday's game against the Pirates, Grant Paulsen of MLB Network Radio reports. Robles tweaked his left hamstring during Wednesday's game against Pittsburgh. While the results of his MRI are not yet in, it would appear the injury is serious enough to sideline the outfielder for at least the next week and a half. Jacob Young will replace Robles on the Nationals' roster.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Getting MRI on hamstring

  Rotowire Apr 3, 2024

  Robles will receive an MRI on his left hamstring Thursday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. Robles appeared to tweak his left hamstring while running to third base during the second inning of Wednesday's win over Pittsburgh. More will be known about the severity of his injury once the MRI results come back Thursday, but a stint on the IL may be necessary for the 26-year-old. Ildemaro Vargas entered the game as Robles' replacement and could be in line for more outfield work if Robles ends up on the injured list, though it's possible the Nationals recall Jacob Young or Alex Call from Triple-A Rochester to make up for the lost outfield depth.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Steals two bases

  Rotowire Apr 1, 2024

  Robles went 0-for-2 with a run, two walks and two stolen bases in Monday's loss to the Pirates. Robles garnered his first start of the season Monday and promptly made the most of it by stealing a pair of bases. He should continue to get at-bats for the Nationals by facing lefties in a center field platoon with Eddie Rosario. However, the 26-year-old Robles faces an uphill battle to secure full playing and should remain on your fantasy waiver wire.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: On bench against righty

  Rotowire Mar 28, 2024

  Robles is not in the lineup for Thursday's season opener versus the Reds. The Nationals will go with Eddie Rosario in center field against right-hander Frankie Montas. Washington isn't expected to treat center field as a strict platoon due to Rosario's defensive shortcomings, but Robles might initially be used mostly versus lefties.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Wrapping up strong spring

  Rotowire Mar 21, 2024

  Robles went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. The 26-year-old center fielder may be on his last chance with the Nationals, but he's at least risen to the occasion this spring, batting .345 (10-for-29) with a homer, a steal and a 4:9 BB:K. Robles also battled a hamstring issue earlier in camp though, and his health is a major concern after he managed to play only 36 games in 2023. If he struggles at the plate again or can't stay in the lineup to begin the current campaign, it may not be long before he cedes his starting job to a top prospect like Dylan Crews or James Wood.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Good to go Sunday

  Rotowire Mar 10, 2024

  Robles (hamstring) will start in center field and bat leadoff in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins. The 26-year-old made an early exit from Saturday's contest due to a hamstring issue, but his presence in the lineup a day later indicates it wasn't a serious concern. Robles is expected to open the season as Washington's primary center fielder but may need a strong start to retain the starting job.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Exits early Saturday

  Rotowire Mar 9, 2024

  Robles was removed from Saturday's spring training game against the Astros due to a hamstring injury, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports. Robles reportedly felt a knot in his hamstring pop up after he was hit by a pitch during Wednesday's game against Miami, and it seemingly became an issue again during Saturday's contest. The Nationals will take a closer look at Robles, and he will likely sit out until his hamstring gets back to 100 percent.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Pops first homer of spring

  Rotowire Mar 7, 2024

  Robles went 2-for-2 with a solo home run and a stolen base in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. Both the homer and the steal were his first of the spring, as Robles went back-to-back with Luis Garcia in the third inning off Jesus Luzardo. The 26-year-old is in theory competing for the starting center field job with Jacob Young, but he seems to be in little danger of losing it. Through six Grapefruit League games, Robles has gone 4-for-12 with a 3:4 BB:K.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Competing with Young for CF job

  Rotowire Feb 15, 2024

  Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday that Robles and Jacob Young will "battle" for the starting job in center field, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. After being pressed about whether it was an open competition, Martinez conceded that Robles "has a little bit of the upper hand" entering spring training. Robles was limited to only 36 contests with the Nationals in 2023 due to nagging back issues and has posted just a .614 OPS since the start of the 2020 season. However, the former top prospect will turn just 27 in May and is valued for his defense, giving him a leg up for the center field gig heading into his walk year.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Likely on last chance in Washington

  Rotowire Feb 10, 2024

  Robles heads into spring training as the Nationals' starter in center field, but he may not have a long leash due to Dylan Crews and other top outfield prospects likely to make their major-league debuts in 2024, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. Once a top prospect himself, Robles' offensive production has been on a steady decline since he slugged 17 homers with 28 steals in 2019, but he did come out of the gate hot last season (.302/.394/.372 slash line on May 3) before back trouble ruined the rest of his campaign. If the 26-year-old can stay healthy, he's a strong defensive player, but the pressure will increase on his bat once the organization determines that younger options like Crews and James Wood are ready. Robles' potential upside in steals still gives him some appeal in deep fantasy formats, but he's nothing more than an endgame dart throw.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Cleared for winter ball

  Rotowire Dec 13, 2023

  Robles (back) was recently cleared to play in the Dominican Winter League, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports. Working his way back from lumbar spine spasms, Robles was cleared for action early last week and has played four games with Toros del Este. It's the first game action for the 26-year-old since June, as he was limited to only 36 contests with the Nationals in 2023. Robles appears healthy now and should head into spring training as the favorite to be the club's Opening Day center fielder.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Not yet fully healthy

  Rotowire Dec 4, 2023

  Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Monday that Robles (back) hasn't yet been cleared to participate in games during the Dominican Winter League, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. Robles didn't play after June 20 this past season while dealing with lumbar spine spasms, an injury that proved to be more significant than the Nationals initially anticipated. The outfielder was expected to make up for the three-plus months of lost action by playing regularly in his native Dominican Republic this offseason, but he apparently has yet to fully move past the back issue. Though he's still just 26 years old, Robles' prospect star has long since faded, and he no longer appears to be viewed as a key part of the Nationals' long-term plans after he had his $3.3 million club option for 2024 declined earlier this winter. Robles is still on the books for the upcoming season after renegotiating a new one-year deal with Washington at a lower salary, but he'll probably need to overcome the back injury and turn in solid production in what's left of winter ball to enter spring training as the clear frontrunner for the starting job in center field.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Staying in Washington

  Rotowire Nov 14, 2023

  Robles agreed to a one-year contract with the Nationals on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. The Nationals declined a $3.3 million club option to keep Robles for 2024, but the two sides negotiated a smaller contract to keep him on the active roster. Given Washington's lack of quality internal options, Robles may play a decent amount early on in his age-26/27 season despite being worth 0.6 fWAR in 275 games over the past three seasons. Robles should hit at the bottom of the order when he plays. He has stolen at least eight bases in each of the last three campaigns and stole eight in 36 games last year while battling back spasms.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Club option declined

  Rotowire Nov 2, 2023

  The Nationals declined Robles' (back) $3.3 million club option for 2024 on Thursday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports. Robles won't immediately become a free agent, though, because he carries one more year of arbitration eligibility. A former top-10 prospect, the 26-year-old was limited to 36 major-league games in 2023 because of a lingering back injury and owns a disappointing .238/.312/.360 career slash line in 1,801 plate appearances at baseball's highest level.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Might not return this year

  Rotowire Sep 8, 2023

  Manager Dave Martinez said Friday that it is "going to be hard" for Robles (back) to return this season, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports. Robles has been on the injured list since late June due to a lingering back injury and is rapidly running out of time to rejoin the Nationals. The 26-year-old outfielder has appeared in only 36 major-league games this season.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Moved to 60-day IL

  Rotowire Jul 26, 2023

  Robles (back) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports. Robles is now ineligible for activation until Aug. 20 after originally being placed on the 10-day IL on June 21 with back spasms. The transaction opens a spot on the 40-man roster for reliever Andres Machado, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: Reports improvement

  Rotowire Jul 24, 2023

  Robles (back) was spotted in the Nationals clubhouse Monday and said he feels "much better," Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports. Robles still hadn't resumed baseball activities at last check, but he appears to have made some progress. The center fielder has barely played since early May, having made two trips to the injured list with nagging back issues. Washington hasn't provided an updated timeline for his return.

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• Nationals' Victor Robles: No baseball activities yet

  Rotowire Jun 30, 2023

  Robles (back) has yet to be cleared for baseball activities, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports. Robles was placed on the injured list June 21 with spasms in his lumbar spine, and he's still limited to core strengthening work more than a week later. It seems doubtful he'll be able to return before the All-Star break at this point. Derek Hill has started nine straight games in center field for Washington in Robles' absence.

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