Carlos Tocci CF

Tocci signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Tuesday as a non-roster invitee, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Tocci was released by the Rangers in August after hitting .244/.313/.308 with four home runs over 89 games with Triple-A Nashville in 2019. The center fielder will get to work in the Nationals' major-league camp during spring training, but he likely needs to further develop before securing a consistent roster spot in the majors.

Tocci was released by the Rangers on Saturday.

He hit .244/.313/.308 with four home runs and four steals in 367 plate appearances at Triple-A Nashville prior to getting outrighted off the 40-man roster.

Tocci was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

The 23-year-old will remain in the Rangers' system after going unclaimed off waivers following his removal from the 40-man roster. Tocci impressed in the minors last season and earned a place on the major-league roster at the end of the year. He's struggled to find his footing in 2019, carrying a slash line of .246/.317/.312 with 64 strikeouts and 31 RBI.

Tocci was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Monday.

This move is somewhat surprising, as the Rangers kept Tocci on their active roster all of last season after selecting him in the Rule 5 draft. The 23-year-old failed to impress in 87 games with Triple-A Nashville this season, however, slashing just .246/.317/.312 with four home runs and four stolen bases. In a corresponding move, Rafael Montero had his contract selected from Nashville.

Tocci was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Tocci got to experience the majors before he was truly ready last season due to his status as a Rule 5 draft pick, but he didn't do much to prove he should stick around, hitting just .225/.271/.283 in 135 plate appearances. He'll return to a more developmentally appropriate level to start 2019, though his 1.001 OPS in 33 spring appearances suggests that he could make a case to return at some point this season.

Tocci reported to spring training with added strength, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Tocci has created a little buzz in camp, going 7-for-18 with four extra-base hits and seven RBI. "Obviously he did something in the offseason. He came back a little stronger," manager Chris Woodward said. "It's eye-opening. If he puts on another 10-15 pounds, who knows what you have at that point? It's exciting to see development and how far he can go because he can really defend in the outfield." Tocci's path to a roster spot is not assured, but the center fielder has picked up where left off last season, when he hit .353 (12-for-34) with a .441 slugging percentage over the final 17 games.

Tocci went 2-for-2 with a homer, a double and five RBI in Wednesday's win over the Giants.

Tocci came on as a substitute and immediately made an impact, blasting a three-run homer off Pat Venditte in his first at-bat. The outfielder added a two-run double in his second and final trip to the plate Wednesday. Through 10 games this spring, Tocci is now 7-for-18 (.389) with four extra-base hits -- a pair of homers and a pair of doubles -- and a 3:1 BB:K.

Tocci went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in Wednesday's 9-3 loss to the Rays.

This was Tocci's first start in the month of September as the Rangers have been giving Delino DeShields another chance to prove he belongs in center field next season. Tocci, a Rule 5 pick, was never expected to have a big role and will likely play winter ball during the offseason, per T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.

Tocci is out of the lineup Sunday against the Angels.

Tocci went 4-for-6 while starting the past two games in center field in place of the injured Delino DeShields Jr. (finger), who was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday. With DeShields likely staring at a multi-week absence, Tocci could be in store for steady at-bats in the outfield, though he'll give way to Drew Robinson in the series finale.

Tocci went 3-for-3 with two runs scored in Friday's 6-4 win over the Angels.

Tocci got the start in center field after Delino DeShields (fractured finger) landed on the disabled list for the third time this season. A Rule 5 selection during the offseason, Tocci has been a little-used fifth outfielder, getting just 35 at-bats during the first half of the year, but he's been in the lineup more often since the All-Star break. Tocci is hitting .278 (15-for-54) over 22 games in the second half and is poised to get ample opportunities from here on out. Drew Robinson was recalled after the DeShields transaction and will share center field with Tocci.

Tocci is not in the lineup Monday against the Diamondbacks.

Tocci will stick on the bench for a second straight game as Delino DeShields, who was recently activated off the disabled list, picks up another start in center field in his stead. The 22-year-old is hitting just .176/.222/.224 through 47 games this season, so it wouldn't be surprising if DeShields continued to steal playing time from him down the stretch.

Tocci is not in the lineup Sunday against the Yankees, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The 22-year-old will be replaced in center field by the recently activated Delino DeShields. Tocci produced just a .587 OPS over the past 30 games, so a timeshare in center field could be in place if DeShields is able to stay healthy.

Tocci is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Tocci will head to the bench after starting the last four games in center field. Drew Robinson draws the start and will bat ninth for the Rangers.

Tocci is out of the lineup Sunday against the Orioles.

Tocci will sit for the second time in the series while Drew Robinson covers center field. Though he's only reaching base at a .235 clip since the All-Star break, Tocci still looks like the Rangers' primary option at the position thanks to his defensive skills.

Tocci will bat ninth and man center field for Friday's game against the Orioles, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Tocci was slated for a day off, but Delino DeShields (head) was a late scratch from the lineup, so Tocci draws the start. He's struggled at the dish recently, going 1-for-10 over his last four games.

Tocci is out of the lineup against Baltimore on Friday, TR Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Tocci will take a seat for the second straight game as Delino DeShields get another start in center field. Across his past 15 games, Tocci is hitting .276 with a .621 OPS.

Tocci isn't in the starting nine for Thursday's matchup against the Orioles.

Tocci is slated for an off day after going 1-for-10 with three strikeouts over his last four games. Delino DeShields will man center field and bat ninth in his place.

Tocci is out of the lineup Sunday against the Astros.

Tocci had started each of the last five games in center field, going 5-for-18 while providing quality defense. The Rangers brought Delino DeShields back from the Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday, but there's no indication that he'll immediately displace Tocci as the club's primary option in center field. DeShields will pick up the start in the series finale while Tocci rests, however.

Tocci went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 11-2 win over the Astros.

Tocci executed a safety squeeze Friday, his second sacrifice of the week, and he's hitting .357 in four games since taking over the starting center field job from Delino DeShields. He's also been caught stealing twice. The Rule 5 pick has looked overmatched many times this season -- Tocci was hitting .105 (4-for-38) when he was named the starting center fielder -- but he's making the most of his latest opportunity. It's a nice story, but fantasy owners should not expect continued success.

Tocci, who is starting in center field and hitting ninth Tuesday against the A's, could be in for a prominent role now that Delino DeShields was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock.

The Rule 5 pick is hitting just .105 in 44 plate appearances this season, but has a reputation as a solid defensive center fielder, and the Rangers don't have any other inspiring options on the current roster who profile up the middle. Given that the Rangers are rebuilding and clearly like Tocci enough to have kept him on the roster all season, he may be given the bulk of the starts in center field while DeShields tries to snap out of his funk at Triple-A. Tocci has above-average speed, which could make him relevant in AL-only leagues.