The Washington Nationals on Thursday officially announced their roster ahead of their opening day matchup against the New York Mets at 7:05 p.m.
The 28-man roster — up two players for MLB teams through May 1 due to a shortened spring training caused by the 99-day lockout — has few surprises, some familiar faces and even more question marks.
A main storyline from spring training was the homecoming the Nationals had with starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez and reliever Sean Doolittle — two players on Washington’s 2019 World Series-winning team. Sanchez will slot into the team’s starting rotation, likely taking the mound this weekend against the Mets, while Doolittle could be in the mix to earn saves for a Nationals team that may not get as many save opportunities as when he was closer in 2019.
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The team also brought in veterans like Maikel Franco and Dee Strange-Gordon on minor-league deals, with both players earning roster spots. Franco, a former Phillie and Oriole, will likely be the starting third baseman until Carter Kieboom returns from his forearm injury, and Strange-Gordon, a former stolen base champion, will serve as a backup second baseman and outfielder.
Ace Stephen Strasburg, who has missed most of the past two seasons with injuries, is starting the season on the 10-day injured list as he eases his way back following thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last summer. Utility infielder Ehire Adrianza, who the team signed to a major-league deal this offseason, was also placed on the 10-day IL, while reliever Will Harris, a former elite reliever who has dealt with injuries the last two seasons, will open the campaign on the 60-day IL.
Here’s the roster, broken down by position:
Catchers: Keibert Ruiz, Riley Adams
Infielders: Josh Bell, Nelson Cruz, Cesar Hernandez, Dee Strange-Gordon, Maikel Franco, Lucius Fox, Alcides Escobar
Outfielders: Lane Thomas, Victor Robles, Juan Soto, Yadiel Hernandez
Starting pitchers: Patrick Corbin, Josiah Gray, Anibal Sanchez, Erick Fedde, Joan Adon
Relief pitchers: Victor Arano, Paolo Espino, Kyle Finnegan, Andres Machado, Patrick Murphy, Tanner Rainey, Mason Thompson, Austin Voth, Sean Doolittle and Steve Cishek.
Correction: An earlier version of this story omitted the names of two relief pitchers.
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