The Washington Nationals placed right-handed pitcher Trevor Williams on the 15-day injured list due to a right elbow sprain, a move announced early this morning. To fill Williams’s spot, the Nationals recalled right-hander Ryan Loutos to their Major League roster. Additionally, catcher Keibert Ruiz was activated from the 7-day concussion-related injured list, while catcher Drew Millas was optioned to Triple-A.
Williams’s Season Struggles and Injury Details
At 33 years old, Trevor Williams has been a regular starter for the Nationals throughout the season but has faced significant challenges on the mound. Over 17 starts and 82 2/3 innings, his earned-run average (ERA) stands at a troubling 6.21, ranking as the third-highest among pitchers with at least 80 innings this year. Despite his poor ERA, deeper analytics suggest Williams has faced some bad luck. His batting average on balls in play (BABIP) against is .347, nearly 50 points higher than his career norm, and a 61.6% strand rate indicates he has been hindered by unfavorable sequencing.
Advanced metrics support a more average performance, with Williams registering a 4.08 fielding independent pitching (FIP) and 4.45 FIP. These numbers indicate he might still be capable as a mid-rotation starter despite surface-level struggles.
Review of Williams’s Performance Trends
Williams’s strikeout and walk rates remain consistent with his 2024 profile. Last season, he delivered a remarkably low 2.03 ERA across 66 2/3 innings, though those results exceeded his underlying metrics. Combining his solid but shortened 2024 with his difficult first half this year, Williams appears to fit the profile of a back-of-the-rotation starter, with historical averages around 30 starts, a 4.34 ERA, a 3.51 FIP, and a 4.23 SIERA.
Prior to his injury, Williams might have attracted interest as a cost-effective, innings-eating arm for teams in need. However, this latest elbow sprain casts uncertainty on his availability and value moving forward.
Clarifying the Nature and Potential Impact of the Injury
Specifics about the injury have not been fully disclosed, but any elbow issue for a pitcher is treated with extreme care to prevent worsening. Williams is expected to be sidelined for several weeks, with the possibility of a much longer recovery period. Mark Zuckerman of MASN reported that Williams compared this sprain to a previous flexor strain that sidelined him for over three months last year. If this recovery timeline holds, it could mean Williams will miss the entirety of the 2025 season.
Temporary Replacement and Roster Implications
Ryan Loutos, the right-hander called up to replace Williams, was acquired off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this year. Since joining the Nationals, Loutos has allowed eight runs (six earned) over just 4 1/3 innings. Although he might eat innings temporarily, the Nationals will need to find a more sustainable solution to fill Williams’s rotation spot.
Possibilities include calling up pitchers Cade Cavalli and Shinnosuke Ogasawara, who are both on the team’s 40-man roster. However, Cavalli has struggled at Triple-A this season, while Ogasawara is currently pitching at the High-A level as he recovers from an injury.
Keibert Ruiz Returns, Catching Situation Updates
Meanwhile, catcher Keibert Ruiz has been activated after being sidelined due to a concussion sustained from a foul ball on June 24. Initially placed on the 10-day injured list, Ruiz was transferred to the concussion-related injured list after experiencing lingering headaches. He is expected to resume his role as the primary catcher, with Riley Adams continuing as his backup.
Ruiz, 26, signed an eight-year, $50 million extension with the Nationals before the 2023 season, but his offensive performance has been underwhelming. In 66 games this season, he is hitting .247/.278/.320. Despite the slow production so far, as a former top prospect still in his mid-20s, there remains potential for Ruiz to develop further, a common trajectory for many catchers.
Outlook for Nationals’ Pitching and Catching Depth
The Nationals now face uncertainty in their starting rotation due to Williams’s injury, which could significantly affect their pitching depth heading into the next season. The team’s reliance on inexperienced arms like Loutos, Cavalli, and Ogasawara will be critical to monitor as they seek consistency. Moreover, Ruiz’s return offers some stability behind the plate, though his performance will be instrumental for the Nationals’ pitching staff moving forward.
Overall, Trevor Williams’s placement on the injured list with an elbow sprain raises serious doubts about his ability to contribute in 2025 and forces the Nationals to reevaluate their pitching strategies amid ongoing recovery challenges.