The Washington Nationals will reinstate outfielder Dylan Crews from the 60-day injured list tomorrow, ending his recovery from a major oblique strain that sidelined him since late May. Crews is scheduled to serve as the designated hitter in today’s final Triple-A rehab game before fully returning to the major league roster. Due to several open spots on the Nationals’ 40-man roster, only an active roster spot needs to be cleared for his activation.
Background on Crews’ Career and Early Struggles
Selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, Crews was chosen immediately after his college teammate Paul Skenes from LSU. Since making his major league debut late in the previous season, Crews opened the 2025 campaign on the Nationals’ Opening Day roster but has yet to deliver the level of performance expected from a former top prospect. His 305 major league plate appearances so far have resulted in a .206/.275/.354 batting line, reflecting ongoing inconsistency at the plate.
Challenges and Progress During the 2025 Season
The beginning of Crews’ 2025 season was notably difficult. He went hitless in his first 19 plate appearances and remained below average for several weeks. By mid-April, his slash line was a disappointing .106/.143/.106, accompanied by a 36.7% strikeout rate, hampering the Nationals’ hopes for his offensive contributions.
However, Crews’ performance started improving after April 15. He put together an eight-game hitting streak and several multi-hit games, culminating in back-to-back home runs before landing on the injured list on May 21. During this period, Crews improved significantly, hitting .234/.315/.459 with seven home runs and lowering his strikeout rate to 24.2% over 124 plate appearances. His batted ball metrics also showed promise, with an average exit velocity of 90.9 mph and a 44.4% hard-hit rate, highlighting positive strides before the injury.
Rehab and Readiness to Return
Crews’ performance in Triple-A Rochester during his rehab has mirrored his major league ups and downs. After going hitless over his first three games, he rebounded with a .294/.333/.500 slash line over the following nine games, totaling 36 plate appearances. Today’s rehab game will serve as his final adjustment before rejoining the Nationals tomorrow, providing him around six weeks to bolster his momentum and prove his value for the team’s remainder of the season.
Future Implications for the Nationals’ Outfield
Despite a slow start to his major league career, Dylan Crews remains a key component in the Nationals‘ future plans. He is under team control for five more seasons after 2025 and will not turn 24 until February. His ability to continue developing is crucial as the Nationals look to solidify their outfield. James Wood has emerged as a powerful offensive force and probable 30-home run hitter in his first full season, while Crews offers potential as a right fielder, though he is capable in center field as well.
The center field position appears open, with several contenders including defensive standout Jacob Young, former top prospects Robert Hassell III and Daylen Lile, alongside Christian Franklin, acquired from the Cubs in the Michael Soroka trade. Crews’ activation and performance in the coming weeks will be pivotal in determining how the Nationals structure their outfield moving forward.