As Thomas gets another start, Martinez supports Robles

Lane Thomas hasn't supplanted Victor Robles as the Nationals' starting center fielder and leadoff hitter. But he has performed at such a high level since his acquisition from the Cardinals that manager Davey Martinez feels compelled to keep playing him for now, even as Robles returns to full health after falling ill last weekend.

"Victor's feeling better," Martinez said during his Zoom session with reporters before tonight's game in Miami. "Lane's playing well and I want to continue to see him play."

Thomas, who makes his fourth consecutive start in center field tonight, has done more than play well. His numbers have been off the charts, albeit in a very small sample. In seven games overall since joining the Nationals, he's batting .526 (10-for-19) with a .640 on-base percentage, .737 slugging percentage, four runs scored, three extra-base hits and three RBIs.

It's a far cry from the .104/.259/.125 offensive slash line the 26-year-old produced in 32 games with the Cardinals earlier this season or the .220/.341/.390 slash line he owns over 167 career plate appearances. So who knows how long he'll be able to keep this up?

But as long as can, Martinez intends to keep giving Thomas chances to play. That doesn't mean he has supplanted Robles as the everyday center fielder.

"Uh, not exactly," the manager said. "We'll see. I looked at it, based a lot of it on matchups. I think Lane matches up against (Marlins rookie right-hander Edward Cabrera) today, and I want to play him and give him an opportunity to play. He's earned the right to play. He's playing well. Eventually, I've got to get Victor back in there."

Robles remains mired in a season-long slump, entering play tonight with a .207 batting average, two homers, 19 RBIs, a .314 on-base percentage and a .302 slugging percentage that would rank last in the majors if he had enough plate appearances to qualify.

There were signs of improvement in recent weeks before Robles got sick; over his last 12 games, he's batting .283 with five doubles, five RBIs and eight runs scored. But the 24-year-old has not been able to sustain any success, despite ample opportunity.

Others with Robles' subpar numbers might've been sent to the minors or benched at some point. But he's remained on the big league roster throughout, and aside for a brief stretch when Andrew Stevenson began playing a bit more, he has remained the Nationals' everyday center fielder until this week.

"If anybody has shown that guy confidence, it's this guy right here," Martinez said, laughing as he pointed at himself. "I run him out there every day and tell him every day how good he is, and how good he can be. We've just got to keep working. I love the kid, I really do. And he's going to be really good, I believe that."

Considered one of the top prospects in baseball not long ago, Robles remains an elite defensive center fielder. But his offensive and baserunning production continue to lag behind, and that leaves him as a major question mark heading into next season.

"Moving forward, we need Victor," Martinez said. "This guy, for me, could be a game-changer. As we all know, he's got the potential to win a Gold Glove in the future. When he gets on base, he can make things happen. He's one of those electric players. We've got to get him going. We're going to get him going. Hopefully he finishes strong the rest of this year and comes back next year ready to go.

"The biggest thing for me, as I talk to him, is: Don't worry about the numbers. Just play each and every day, and focus on each at-bat. Focus on your defense. Focus on your baserunning. Don't worry about what the numbers say. Play the game the right way and have fun."