Kieboom returns to play every day, Difo dropped from roster

Their lineup ravaged by a recent spate of injuries, the Nationals recalled Carter Kieboom from their alternate training camp today, plugged their struggling prospect into tonight's lineup against the Braves and declared him their starting third baseman for the rest of this abridged season.

Kieboom, who had been optioned to the camp in Fredericksburg on Aug. 26, was already in Atlanta as part of the club's traveling taxi squad for this weekend's series at Truist Park. Team officials liked the progress they saw in his swing during his brief stint in what this year constitutes the minor leagues and had plans to put him back on the active roster soon, but recent injuries to Juan Soto, Adam Eaton and Josh Harrison may have forced them to make the move now.

"We need his bat in the lineup, so, it's good for him that he went down there and worked hard to get back," manager Davey Martinez said during his pregame Zoom session with reporters. "We felt like he worked on some things in his swing, so we know he can hit, and we know he can play. He's 22 years old, he's one of our top prospects, so he's going to get the opportunity to play here and hopefully help us win some games."

Soto, Eaton and Harrison all remain out of the lineup after suffering injuries in the last 48 hours. Soto reported to the park Friday complaining of a sore left elbow; though an MRI came back clean, he's expected to sit out several days. Eaton jammed his knee while running to first base Thursday in Philadelphia; he planned to test it out before tonight's game. Harrison left the nightcap of Friday's doubleheader after getting hit by a pitch; X-rays and an MRI on his forearm revealed a contusion, but according to Martinez the veteran utility man is still "a little beat up."

With another struggling utility man, Brock Holt, already forced into tonight's lineup in left field, the Nationals elected to recall Kieboom and start him at third base over Wilmer Difo, who was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot.

Difo, who had been on the active roster all season, was 1-for-14 with one RBI (recorded Friday night) and three walks. The 28-year-old, owner of a .247/.309/.348 offensive slash line in 373 games for the Nationals over parts of the last six seasons, was out of options and now would need to clear waivers in order to remain in the organization.

The Nats entered the season with high hopes for Kieboom, long considered one of their best position-player prospects, as the long-term replacement for Anthony Rendon at third base. But despite better-than-expected defense at a position he was learning on the fly, the 23-year-old was struggling at the plate. In 17 games to begin the season, he hit .200 (10-for-50) with zero extra-base hits, 11 walks and 20 strikeouts.

After losing playing time to veteran Asdrúbal Cabrera, the Nationals demoted Kieboom to the Fredericksburg camp, and in recent days Martinez revealed one reason for the move was concern Kieboom hadn't handled his struggles well (unlike fellow rookie Luis García, who has remained the everyday second baseman even while struggling at times).

With the defending champions sinking at 13-24 and only 23 games left this season, the Nationals decided it was time to bring Kieboom back and stick with him, no matter the results.

"He's going to play third base for the rest of this year," Martinez said. "We've got to see what we've got. We want him to play. I told him: 'You're batting somewhere in the middle of the lineup. So go out there, have fun and do your thing.'"