Victor Robles is returning to the Nationals lineup. The team announced that the outfielder has been activated from the 10-day injured list. Infielder Luis Garcia was optioned to Triple-A Sunday to create room on the 26-man active roster.
Robles hasn’t played since May 19 (also his 24th birthday) due to a right ankle sprain. Looking to bounce back from a 2020 season that was disappointing both offensively and defensively, Robles got off to a very slow start but was hitting better in the few games immediately prior to his ankle injury. Over 133 plate appearances, Robles is hitting .246/.348/.325. His glovework has rebounded more strongly, as he has a +7.6 UZR/150 and +4 Defensive Runs Saved over 300 1/3 innings in center field.
With Robles back, Washington is more or less finally healthy on the position-player side for the first time all season after regular injuries and a COVID-19 outbreak at the beginning of the season hindered the lineup. The Nationals will need all the help they can get as they look to recover from a 21-28 start that has sent them to the NL East basement.
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