Nats add rookies Chaparro, Ribalta at expense of vets Ramírez, Weems

BALTIMORE – As this season transitions from one of early dreams of a surprise run to one that’s still primarily focused on the future, the Nationals decided to make a pair of transactions today that will give them a chance to look at two more young players at the expense of veterans.

The Nats promoted first baseman Andrés Chaparro and reliever Orlando Ribalta from Triple-A Rochester prior to this evening’s series opener against the Orioles and cleared space for both by designating designated hitter Harold Ramírez and reliever Jordan Weems for assignment.

“We want to take a look at some of these young kids,” manager Davey Martinez said. “Both have done really well at Triple-A.”

Indeed, Chaparro and Ribalta have been knocking on the door, performing at a level worthy of consideration. Now each will get an opportunity to make his major league debut.

Acquired just two weeks ago at the trade deadline in a last-minute deal with the Diamondbacks for Dylan Floro, Chaparro went on a tear at the plate in 10 games with Rochester. The 200-pound corner infielder hit four homers with 10 RBIs, a .419 on-base percentage and 1.076 OPS, picking up right where he left off with Arizona’s Triple-A affiliate in Reno, where he batted .332 with 19 homers and 75 RBIs in 95 games.

A 25-year-old originally in the Yankees system, Chaparro joined the Diamondbacks this season on a minor league contract but was blocked at first base at the major league level by Christian Walker, then trade deadline acquisition Josh Bell. The Nationals, who have been searching for power at the position all season after Joey Meneses struggled, are going to give him a chance to share the position and first base with Juan Yepez.

“I didn’t even expect the trade originally,” Chaparro said, via interpreter Octavio Martinez. “So when the trade was made and I was able to settle down and get my thoughts inside me, I felt like if I kept doing what I was doing, things would fall into place.”

Chaparro takes the roster spot held for the last month and a half by Ramírez, an experienced hitter picked up midseason from the Rays who enjoyed some big moments early but saw his playing time decrease in recent weeks. The 29-year-old finished with a .243/.273/.365 slash line in 25 games.

“We got him here, and things just didn’t work out,” Martinez said. “He couldn’t find his swing that we liked before. So we thought this would be the best time to get some of these young kids up here and see what we have.”

Ribalta, meanwhile, will be making his long-awaited major league debut in the coming days when Martinez calls for him from the bullpen. An imposing presence at 6-foot-7, 245 pounds, the organization’s 12th-round pick in the 2019 draft burst onto the scene this season with a 1.00 ERA in 16 games at Double-A Harrisburg, then 35 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings after his promotion to Rochester.

The right-hander sports a mid-to-high 90s fastball and a changeup described as perhaps his best pitch.

“He’s got great stuff, and this year he’s pounding the strike zone a little bit,” Martinez said. “He’s still walking some guys, but (the talent) is there. We’re going to get him up here, get him some work.”

Ribalta replaces Weems, who was dropped from the roster two days after a frustrating appearance in which he walked four Angels batters in two-thirds of an inning. Weems had just been activated off the 15-day injured list following a short stint with shin splints, having not gone on a minor league rehab assignment first.

Sunday’s outing was the final straw in a season full of struggles for Weems, who briefly established himself as one of the Nats’ best setup men in 2023 but regressed significantly this season to the tune of a 6.70 ERA and 1.752 WHIP in 41 games.

If Weems, who was out of options, isn’t claimed by another club off waivers, he could be outrighted to Triple-A and remain in the Nationals organization despite being dropped from the 40-man roster.

“It was tough,” Martinez said. “I’ve built a relationship with him. I wished him well. I hope, for selfish reasons, he clears waivers and maybe we can do something with him again. He’s a tremendous guy, not just a baseball player, but a tremendous person. I wish him well.”