The Nationals have positioned outfielder Travis Blankenhorn on the 10-day injured listing with plantar fasciitis, the group introduced. The transfer is retroactive to September 16, which suggests the left-handed hitter may return as quickly as subsequent Tuesday. In a corresponding transfer, Washington recalled Blake Rutherford, one other lefty batting outfielder, from Triple-A.
Blankenhorn, a long-time Twins prospect, made his MLB debut with Minnesota in 2020 however was designated for task in Could 2021. He has since frolicked within the Dodgers, Mariners, Mets, and Nationals organizations, primarily on the Triple-A stage. The 27-year-old earned his first actual shot at common taking part in time this September, posting a forgettable .555 OPS however exhibiting off spectacular plate self-discipline, with six walks and solely six strikeouts in 37 journeys to the plate.
It’s doable to play by way of plantar fasciitis, as Carlos Correa has demonstrated this season, however with so few video games remaining and the Nationals already eradicated from postseason competition, the group has little motive to place an ailing participant again on the sphere. Relaxation is essential for treating plantar heel ache, and an early begin to the offseason ought to do Blankenhorn extra good than a short stint on the IL. Then once more, he may want to get again within the lineup as quickly as doable, in an effort to enhance his numbers and improve his probabilities of sticking on Washington’s 40-man roster all through the offseason.
The 26-year-old Rutherford made his MLB debut this August, seven years since he was chosen by the Yankees within the first spherical of the 2016 draft. Regardless of robust numbers at Double and Triple-A, he struggled to make the adjustment to the majors, batting .182 with a .388 OPS in 15 video games. In the end, he was optioned on the finish of the month to make room for catcher Drew Millas on the energetic roster. Rutherford will now have a second probability to make an excellent impression over the ultimate 11 video games of the season.
