Tena returns to lineup, Gallo still working in Rochester (plus spring training schedule)

PHILADELPHIA – José Tena has returned to the Nationals lineup for tonight’s series opener against the Phillies after missing the two-game set against the Orioles with a thumb injury.

The 23-year-old infielder, who the Nats acquired from the Guardians in the Lane Thomas trade, couldn’t handle a sharp grounder hit right at him in the fourth inning of Sunday’s loss to the Angels. He was struck while trying to turn a double play and had to depart the game with a towel wrapped around his bleeding right thumb.

X-rays were negative, with no broken bones, but the cut on Tena’s thumb was significant enough to keep the young third baseman out of the lineup for the two games in Baltimore.

But now Tena, who became the first player in franchise history with a walk-off hit in his team debut on Saturday, returns to the field at third base while batting eighth at Citizens Bank Park.

“He's good. He's gonna play today,” manager Davey Martinez said during his pregame meeting with the media. “He felt better yesterday, so he's in the lineup today. We'll see how he does.”

Meanwhile, the Nationals weren’t ready to activate Joey Gallo off his rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester ahead of this series. Actually, it’s more that Gallo himself felt that he wasn’t ready to return to the big leagues.

Despite going 2-for-3 with a home run with the Red Wings yesterday, Gallo remains with Rochester rehabbing his left hamstring strain that has kept him sidelined since June 12.

“Gallo is still trying to get ready playing,” Martinez said. “He's done well. He hit a home run again yesterday. He's feeling better, but he wants to continue to play and make sure he’s 100 percent.”

Gallo is 6-for-23 (.260) with two homers, five runs, six RBIs, seven walks and eight strikeouts in seven games during this rehab assignment. But the veteran wants to be absolutely sure his hamstring has healed before rejoining the Nats.

“He just wants to feel like he's 100 percent,” Martinez said. “So as soon as he feels like he's 100 percent, we'll get him back here.”

What remains to be seen is where Gallo will play whenever he is activated off the IL. He has served as the first baseman, designated hitter and right fielder during this stint with Rochester.

But the Nationals now have Andrés Chaparro playing first base regularly and Alex Call continuing to perform well enough to stay in right field. Plus, top prospect Dylan Crews’ debut is looming. And Juan Yepez is still hitting .303 in the DH spot.

So although it’s not imminent, Gallo’s return will provide more questions than a solution.

* Some other quick injury news and updates …

Trevor Williams threw a 20-pitch bullpen – all fastballs – and felt good coming out of it. The Nats will continue to build him up as he attempts to return from a right flexor muscle strain before the season ends.

Cade Cavalli, finally back in West Palm Beach, threw a ball 25 times at 90 feet and said he felt good.

MacKenzie Gore’s in-between-starts bullpen session went well yesterday and he’s still on track to start Saturday, per Martinez. The manager mentioned earlier this week they were going to work on some different things with the young left-hander to try to get him back on track.

“It went well, so he'll start Saturday,” Martinez said. “It's all about consistent strikes, getting the ball over the plate. We talked about his usage and different pitches. Hopefully it goes out there Saturday, I know he's gonna compete because that's what he always does. But it's about pitch efficiency with him. Trying to get him to throw more strikes.”

* Major League Baseball announced the 2025 spring training schedules for all 30 clubs this afternoon.

The Nationals begin Grapefruit League play on Saturday, Feb. 22 against the Astros as the “road” team at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Their first home game is the following day against the Mets.

The Nats will face their usual opponents along Florida’s Atlantic Coast in the Astros, Marlins, Cardinals and Mets. They’ll welcome the Braves from across the state on Feb. 27 and the Rays on March 16. They will make the three-hour-plus trek across the state themselves for games against the Rays on March 13 in Port Charlotte and the Braves on March 14 in North Port.

There are five split-squads scheduled: March 1 against the Marlins and at the Cardinals; March 10 both against and at the Marlins; March 14 at the Astros and Braves; March 16 against the Mets and Rays; and March 23 against the Astros and at the Cardinals to finish exhibition play.

The March 14 game against the Astros and March 16 game against the Mets will both be a part of MLB’s “Spring Breakout” series, which will feature the top prospects from both teams. The Nats farm was just ranked as the No. 4 system by Baseball America and No. 10 by MLB Pipeline.

You can see the whole schedule here.

Spring training report dates and times will follow.