Game 52 lineups: Nats at Braves

ATLANTA – After a stretch of offensive woes, the Nationals got some decent production at the plate over the weekend. They scored a combined 14 runs while taking two of three from the Mariners, missing a chance to sweep the series on Sunday. They’ll hope their bats stay hot in Atlanta as they begin a seven-game road trip.

Isn’t it crazy that it’s Memorial Day and this is the first time the Nats will face the Braves this season? 

Some reinforcements came south with them. Lane Thomas was activated off the 10-day injured list after recovering from his left MCL sprain and playing in four rehab games with Double-A Harrisburg. But that means someone has to come off the active roster, so in a corresponding move, the Nats designated Victor Robles for assignment, seemingly ending his 11-year tenure with the organization. More on that decision coming soon.

The Nats will send Mitchell Parker to the mound for his eighth start. Manager Davey Martinez used Thursday’s off-day to switch up the rotation to give guys some extra rest, so the rookie left-hander will be pitching on two extra days’ rest. He’s 3-2 with a 3.32 ERA and 1.158 WHIP after holding the Twins to three runs over six innings with seven strikeouts last week.

Parker will face a Braves lineup without the reigning National League MVP. Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his left ACL yesterday against the Pirates and the team announced last night he will miss the remainder of the year. Acuña also missed significant time in 2021 when he tore his right ACL.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: Truist Park
Gametime: 4:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 The Fan, DC 87.7 (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 83 degrees, wind 12 mph from right to left field

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
RF Lane Thomas
2B Luis García Jr.
LF Eddie Rosario
C Keibert Ruiz
DH Jesse Winker
3B Nick Senzel
1B Joey Gallo
CF Jacob Young

LHP Mitchell Parker

BRAVES
2B Ozzie Albies
3B Austin Riley
DH Marcell Ozuna
1B Matt Olson
C Sean Murphy
RF Adam Duvall
CF Michael Harris II
SS Orlando Arcia
LF Jarred Kelenic

RHP Charlie Morton