The Nationals have activated outfielder Adam Eaton from the 60-day disabled list, per a team announcement. In corresponding moves, the Nationals released outfielder Rafael Bautista and optioned right-hander Wander Suero to Triple-A.
Eaton hasn’t played since April 8 because of a right ankle issue, one which required surgery in early May, thus continuing an injury-plagued tenure in Washington for the 29-year-old. Since the Nationals acquired Eaton from the White Sox in a December 2016 blockbuster, he has played in just 31 of a possible 223 regular-season games. Eaton missed all but 23 games last season after tearing both his left ACL and meniscus at the end of April.
When Eaton has been healthy enough to take the field for the Nationals, he has continued to post the type of strong production he offered in Chicago from 2014-16. Across 140 plate appearances since last year, the lefty-swinger has slashed .308/.400/.508 with four home runs and nearly as many walks (17) as strikeouts (20). He’ll now rejoin a crowded outfield in D.C. that also consists of right fielder Bryce Harper, stunningly great 19-year-old left fielder Juan Soto, center fielder Michael Taylor and reserve Brian Goodwin.
It’s unclear how the Nats will divvy up playing time among their outfielders, though Soto and Taylor do have minor league options remaining. Soto has perhaps been too effective to demote, however, having batted .339/.431/.571 with three homers, nine walks and 10 strikeouts in the first 65 PAs of his career.
Bautista, 25, had been occupying a spot on Washington’s 40-man roster, but a serious knee injury derailed his season and, barring a re-signing, his career with the franchise. He tore the ACL, LCL and meniscus in his left knee while playing with Triple-A Syracuse three weeks ago. Bautista had been a quality prospect before then, though, as Baseball America (15th), FanGraphs (16th) and MLB.com (19th) each placed him among the Nationals’ top 20 farmhands in recent months.
KC should jump all over Bautista if given the opportunity! Though his stock is stagnant presently, there’s still upside & he would be a more serviceable version of T. Gore IMO & might still turn into at the very least, a quality backup/injury replacement at the MLB level much like what W. Difo has pulled off…
Go get em Adam!! stay healthy!
If there is anyone in the game who plays with the intensity of Dustin pedroia, it’s this guy. Unfortunately, he has been getting hurt from that same hard style of play last 2 seasons.
don’t see him turning it down a notch either, just like pedroia. Guy just loves the game and plays all out. Every team in the game should have 1 of these type if they could find them.
kiermaier is another one. Great player but kills himself to do it. Pence was also one of those hence why he is having such a steep decline now
The Nationals have done this in the past where they will release a player after they have gone down with a serious injury like a torn ACL or TJS. I understand the baseball side of it but it seems like a really cheap move.
If he was on the big league roster than they would have been stuck with him for the season. Mind you, he would have been placed on the 60 dl. Unfortunately it’s a business and it happened in the minors where they can release even if injured.
My guess is that they’re just releasing him to get him off the 40-man roster immediately, and then they’ll re-sign him to a minor league deal
Then couldn’t they just keep him on the 60 day DL which free ups an extra spot on the 40-man?
Michael Taylor come on down !
I hate this technique. They should really do something like if a team releases a guy from their 40-man they can’t re-sign them for 30 days. It just takes away potential opportunity for kids like this. I certainly would have claimed Bautista. I see him as a solid 4th outfielder or platoon.