Adams could return to lineup Monday, Bell returns to camp after brief paternity leave

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Riley Adams appears to have made quick progress from a bruised right wrist and could be back in the Nationals lineup as soon as Monday, according to manager Davey Martinez.

Adams was hit by a pitch Friday night and had to be scratched from Saturday’s lineup, replacing behind the plate by Drew Millas. X-rays on his wrist were negative, and he was diagnosed with a contusion.

The 28-year-old was ready to resume a full workout this morning, though. If he made it through that session feeling strong, he could be back in the lineup for one of Monday’s split-squad games against the Marlins.

“He took a few swings yesterday off the tee, said he felt a lot better. So he’s going to hit today out on the field,” Martinez said. “I’ll get something back, and then if he’s OK, we’ll plop him back in tomorrow.”

This is an important spring for Adams, who is trying to hold onto the No. 2 catching job on the Opening Day, backing up Keibert Ruiz. He was twice optioned to Triple-A Rochester last season after falling into slumps at the plate, with Millas called up to replace him.

Adams, though, is now out of options and can’t be sent to the minors without first clearing waivers. The Nationals tendered him a contract this winter, guaranteeing him an $850,000 salary for 2025.

“He came back understanding … he just needed to get better,” Martinez said. “Sometimes you’ve just got to go down there and work on the little things. There’s a lot of things he does really well. And guys love (pitching) to him, because he’s a bigger target. He worked really hard this winter on changing some things with his swing, trying to frame balls a little better. So far, so good.”

Adams, who saw his OPS plummet from .807 in 2023 to .629 last season, is 2-for-9 so far this spring, launching a grand slam last week in West Palm Beach. He has long exhibited power potential, but the Nationals are looking for a more consistent offensive approach from him, trying to avoid the slumps he got himself into last year.

“He understands the situation, where he’s at,” Martinez said. “I want him to do well, because he can be an asset to us. He knows our pitching staff, which is huge. But he’s got to go out there and perform.”

* Josh Bell returned to camp this morning after heading back to Washington for three days for the birth of his third child. The veteran designated hitter, who re-signed with the club this winter for $6 million, is 4-for-16 with a double, a homer and four RBI so far this spring.

After participating in workouts this morning, Bell is scheduled to return to the lineup for one of Monday’s games.

* Kyle Finnegan could make his spring game debut Monday, provided he experiences no physical issues after Friday’s bullpen session, and provided the club clears him for game action.

Finnegan, who re-signed with the Nationals more than two weeks into camp, said his initial bullpen session went well and believed he’d be ready to pitch in a game three days later. He hopes to make five or six Grapefruit League appearances before Opening Day, with Martinez stressing the importance of back-to-back appearances at some point during the final week of exhibition play.