Good Morning, Washington Nationals fans.
Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Friday, June 5, 2026.
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📅 NEXT AT BAT
Tonight: vs. Diamondbacks, 9:40 PM ET — Can Washington end their losing streak? Will they get their offense back on track?
Saturday: vs. Diamondbacks, 4:10 PM ET — Will Washingtons high powered offense be able to score runs against Eduardo Rodriguez who has the 7th best ERA in the entire MLB?
Sunday: vs. Diamondbacks, 3:15 PM ET — How will Cavalli pitch?
DIAMONDBACKS SERIES PREVIEW
Washington gets ready to face the Diamondbacks after their day off.
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
After being swept by the Marlins, the Nationals had a day off to prepare for their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks are ahead of the Nationals in the NL wildcard race, but have been struggling recently. The Diamondbacks have lost five of their last six games, but are starting some of their best pitchers in hopes of taking the series.
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Nat’s Pitchers: Game 1- Foster Griffin (6-2) 3.76 ERA, Game 2- Zack Littell (5-4) 5.01 ERA, Game 3-Cade Cavalli (3-3) 3.62 ERA
Diamondbacks Pitcher: Game 1- Merrill Kelly (5-3) 5.06 ERA, Game 2- Eduardo Rodriguez (5-1) 2.24 ERA, Game 3- Michael Soroka (7-3) 3.49 ERA
Nat’s Hitters: In the last series against the Marlins, Jacob Young and Daylen Lile hit the best, with Young going 3-10 with one of his hits being a home run, and Lile going 3-11 with one run.
Diamondbacks Hitters: Corbin Carroll has a .373 on base percentage, a .535 slugging percentage, and leads the team in hits. Ildemaro Vargas has a .286 batting average and leads the team in RBIs.
🎙️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
After being swept by the Marlins, manager Blake Butera said, “I think we'll get right back on the horse after the day off.”
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Next Game: vs. Diamondbacks, Friday, June 5, 9:40 PM ET, Chase Field
Probables: Nats — Foster Griffin, Diamondbacks — Merrill Kelly
Key Storyline: Can Washington bounce back from this three-game losing streak?
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think Washington can beat the Diamondbacks? Which pitcher will have the best outing?
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COMING BACK FROM INJURY
Image via Josiah Gray Instagram
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
The Nationals' bullpen has been struggling this season, ranking second-to-last in quality starts and fifth-to-last in team ERA (4.71). The Nat’s bullpen has the opportunity to improve with multiple pitchers who could return from injury as early as June.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Jake Irvin: Irving last pitched on May 23rd, and he left after the fifth inning feeling discomfort in his shoulder. Irving has since been on the IL, but is expected to return later this month.
Trevor Williams: On February 10th, Williams was put on the 60-day IL due to a right elbow strain and is starting to practice again. There is no set timeline for his MLB return, but he is moving in the right direction.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
According to CBS Sports, “Irvin has made some progress since he went down with a right shoulder strain a little over a week ago, but it hasn’t come as quickly as anticipated.”
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
What pitcher do you most want to see return?
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UPDATE ON ELI WILLITS
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
It's been almost one year since The Nationals drafted Eli Willits. Here's an update on how he's been playing in Single-A.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Batting: Throughout his time with the Fredericksburg Nationals, Willits has batted very well, posting a .294 batting average. Willits has been very consistent at the plate aside from September, when he posted a .136 Batting average through seven games.
Fielding: Willits has a .990 fielding percentage through his 51 games started in his time in Fredericksburg.
Speed: Willits has a 6.70-second 60-yard dash time, which has helped him steal 28 bases so far this season.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
Willits is currently 18 years old, and after he was drafted, he said, “I've set a goal to be in the big leagues by the time I'm 20, and that's something I'm really excited to do."
📈 MORNING STAT
Willits has been walked in 43 of his 59 games in the minors.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
When do you think Willits will be moved up? Do you think he’ll accomplish his goal of playing in the MLB by the time he is 20?
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Speed Reads
📌 Luis García Jr. is on FIRE!!! (The Nats Report)