García returns to lineup, Ruiz remains in lineup

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Luis García is back in the Nationals lineup after four days off. Keibert Ruiz remains in the Nationals lineup for the 11th time in 13 games this season.

García tweaked his right hamstring running out a ground ball Friday night at Colorado and had been sidelined since. The second baseman was able to go through agility drills the following day, and he progressively added more to his routine each day since.

Tuesday provided the best evidence yet García was close to game-ready. He ran in the outfield during the afternoon, then took ground balls and batting practice with the rest of the team. He wasn’t in the lineup, but with two outs in the top of the ninth he stepped into the on-deck circle and would have pinch-hit for Michael Chavis had the Nats extended the game.

Now he’s back in the lineup for today’s series finale with no real restrictions, though manager Davey Martinez said he does want García to be careful.

“He checked all the boxes,” Martinez said. “I told him today: ‘Just go out there and play the game, but be smart.’ I don’t want him running crazy. But he felt good yesterday. He did all the baseball activities we wanted him to do well, so he’s in there today.”

With Ildemaro Vargas also nursing a left shoulder strain, the Nats were down to only two healthy middle infielders, so they placed Vargas on the 10-day injured list and recalled Jeter Downs from Triple-A Rochester. With García back in the lineup now, Chavis joins Downs on the bench.

Ruiz, meanwhile, continues to be a workhorse behind the plate, starting all but two games so far this season. He got one day off during the opening homestand against the Braves and Rays, then got one day off over the weekend at Coors Field.

Ruiz is the only major league catcher to start 11 games so far this season. He entered the day tied with the Rockies’ Elias Díaz and the Athletics’ Shea Langeliers for most starts behind the plate.

“He’s been great,” Martinez said of his 24-year-old catcher. “I’ve had these conversations with him prior. If he needs a day, we’re going to give him a day. But he came into me last night, said he felt really good and he wanted to play today. So he’s going to get an opportunity to play today.”

Ruiz was among the leading catchers in the majors last season in workload, starting 97 games before he missed most of September with a testicular contusion after getting hit by a foul ball. He entered this season expecting to start 120-plus games, and so far he hasn’t felt the physical toll much.

“The biggest thing he’s realizing is the time of games now,” Martinez said. “It’s not taking a long time. He said: ‘I don’t feel so tired anymore, because the games are going so quick.’”

Ruiz’s heavy workload does come at the expense of backup Riley Adams, who has started only two games so far, one per week.

“I talked to him before the season even started that (Ruiz) was going to get the bulk of the catching, and he might play only once or twice a week,” Martinez said. “So just make sure you’re ready.”