The Washington Nationals are looking to avoid a fourth straight last-place finish in the NL East, but things went awry even before the first pitch of the season.
Third basemen Nick Senzel was a late scratch for the Nats’ Opening Day lineup against the Cincinnati Reds after he fractured his thumb while fielding a ground ball during warmups prior to the game.
“The blow right before our game today really stung,” manager Dave Martinez said following the Nationals 8-2 loss. “That was kind of a bad situation. He took a bad hop during BP.”
Ildemaro Vargas replaced Senzel at third as he spent Opening Day introductions at Great American Ball Park getting X-rays.
“I feel terrible for him because obviously the significance of coming back here — he had a long career here — and for it to happen in pregame as well, it’s kind of a tough blow for him,” said starter Josiah Gray. “I definitely feel for him. I’m sure everyone’s in his corner. I hope he gets back healthy soon and helps us down the road. But it’s a really tough blow on the first game.”
It didn’t get much better from there as the Reds’ Spencer Steer and Nick Martini combined to drive in seven runs, all before the third inning ended.
The Nationals finally scored in the seventh inning off an Eddie Rosario two-run home run, but by that point, it was too late.
Senzel, 28, spent the last five seasons with the Reds and hit .236 with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs in 104 games last season with Cincinnati.
He was expected to be the Nationals’ third baseman, but now the team will have to wait for updates on his thumb to see how much time he’ll miss.
“It’s awful,” Martinez said. “He was in a good spot, and we were in a good spot with him. He was excited for today, and just a freak accident. We’re going to miss him, but he’s going to work really hard to get back as soon as possible.”
Washington recalled prospect Trey Lipscomb to fill Senzel’s roster spot.