Vargas gets nod in left field tonight with Dickerson on IL

The MRI of Corey Dickerson’s left calf showed only a “mild strain,” according to Davey Martinez, and the Nationals manager is hopeful his veteran left fielder’s stint on the 10-day injured list won’t be a long one. History, though, suggests it may be as quick a stint as the club hopes.

Dickerson missed a full month with a calf strain last summer while playing for the Cardinals. That doesn’t necessarily mean this one will take the same amount of time to heal, but the Nats do have a potential road map for his rehab based on what happened last year.

“When I talked to him yesterday, he said he was pretty sore,” Martinez said. “We’ll take it day to day. He’s already started the rehab process, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Signed to a $2.25 million contract over the winter, Dickerson was supposed to be the Nationals’ primary left fielder entering the season. But when Alex Call started Opening Day against Braves ace Max Fried, Martinez revealed he planned to platoon the duo, with Dickerson only playing against right-handers.

The 33-year-old wound up starting only one game before his calf tightened up on him in the seventh inning Saturday afternoon.

“You do everything you can to get these guys ready during spring training, try to keep them healthy. It’s unfortunate,” Martinez said. “It’s a bad part of the game, but it does happen. I can’t wait until he gets back, because he’s a big part of our lineup. … We’re covered, but it really stings. This early and you worked your way through spring training and felt good, then something like this happens.”

After Dickerson landed on the IL on Sunday morning, Martinez said Call would get the bulk of the starts in left field now, with the just-recalled Stone Garrett also getting a chance to play. Tonight’s lineup, though, includes utility infielder Ildemaro Vargas making only the second start of his career in the outfield.

“For me, it’s just about getting Vargas out there and getting him some at-bats,” Martinez said. “I want to get Stone out there one of these days here as well. But I envision Alex getting a lot of playing time.”

Vargas, whose lone major league start in left field came in 2021 while with the Pirates, has played the outfield on a more regular basis in winter ball. He also saw action there this spring, perhaps anticipating this possibility.

“It’s a challenge,” Vargas said, via interpreter Octavio Martinez. “A challenge for myself. A challenge for my career, just to show I can play other positions. The way the game is nowadays, the more positions I’m able to play and help the team out with, I think I make myself more valuable.”

The 31-year-old started at shortstop on Sunday. He admitted he takes pride in having the ability to start in left field one day later.

“I think I just prepare myself – mentally, physically – to be out there and just work on every position I’m able to play. Just be prepared and expect the manager to put me wherever he needs me or wants me. Come to the ballpark with that mentality every day.”

It’s become something of a time-honored tradition for a career infielder to play left field for the Nationals. Vargas joins a list that includes such illustrious former Nats as Ehire Adrianza, César Hernández, Dee Strange-Gordon, Josh Bell, Hernán Pérez, Brock Holt, Wilmer Difo, Clint Robinson, Danny Espinosa, Zach Walters, Steve Lombardozzi, Felipe López, Pete Orr, Kevin Frandsen and Ryan Zimmerman.