Eaton placed on IL with fractured finger

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

September 17, 2020, 2:42pm

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The Nationals lost another key member of their roster for the remainder of this shortened season today when they placed outfielder Adam Eaton on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left index finger.

Eaton hurt himself trying to bunt with two outs and the bases loaded in the second inning of Wednesday's 4-2 win at Tampa Bay. He remained in the game for two more innings and nearly made a diving catch in right field at one point, but was pulled before his spot in the lineup came up again.

With only 10 days remaining in the regular season, Eaton won't have time to return unless the Nationals put together a miraculous run to reach the playoffs. And given his contact status, it's possible the 31-year-old has played his last game for the organization.

The Nationals hold a $10.5 million option on Eaton for 2021. If they don't pick it up, they would owe him a $1.5 million buyout.

After hitting .288 with a .377 on-base percentage and .802 OPS from 2017-19, Eaton has suffered through a difficult 2020 season. He was hitting just .226 with a .285 on-base percentage and .669 OPS in 41 games before suffering the injury.

Eaton joins a long list of Nationals that are set to end the season on the IL, including Stephen Strasburg, Howie Kendrick, Starlin Castro, Sean Doolittle and Tanner Rainey.

To fill Eaton's spot on the active roster, the Nationals reinstated utilityman Brock Holt from the paternity leave list. Holt will rejoin the club Friday in Miami for the opener of a five-game weekend series against the Marlins.