Good Morning, Washington Nationals fans.
Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Monday, June 22, 2026.
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📅 NEXT AT BAT
Tonight: vs. Phillies, 6:45 PM ET — How will the Nats Kick off the series? Will Jacob Young be back? Can Foster lead Washington to a win?
Tomorrow: vs. Phillies, 6:45 PM ET — Can Littell brush off his last two losses?
Wednesday: vs. Phillies, 6:45 PM ET — Can Cavalli get his ERA back below 4.0?
NATS FALL TO RAYS IN SERIES DECIDING GAME
Washington lost their first series in over two weeks.
Final Score: Nationals 3, Rays 4
Date: June 21, 2026
Location: Tropicana Field
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Washington got off to a good start with a Dylan Crews RBI in the fourth inning and a CJ Abrams home run in the sixth, but Washington wasn't able to sustain the lead for long. The Nats gave up a solo shot home run in the sixth and a two-run homer in the seventh, which ended up costing them the game.
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Winning Pitcher: Garrett Cleavinger ([2–2], 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K)
Losing Pitcher: Orlando Ribalta ([0–1], 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K)
Key Hitters:
Dylan Crews: 1-for-4, RBI
CJ Abrams: 2-for-4, HR, RBI
Nasim Nunez: 2-for-3
Team RISP: 2-for-6
Errors: Nats 1, Rays 0
Attendance: 21,054
🎙️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
After Sunday's loss, Manager Blake Butera said, “This team has been resilient all year long, and we gotta turn the page and be ready to go in a big series at home against the Phillies.”
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Next Game: vs. Phillies, June 22, 2026, 6:45 PM ET, Nationals Park
Probables: Nats — Foster Griffin, Phillies — Undecided
Key Storyline: Will Jacob Young be back? Can Foster lead Washington to a win?
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Who was tonight’s MVP?
✅ Abrams
✅ Crews
✅ Alvarez
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MAX KRANICK UPDATE
Photo from MLB.com
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
On Sunday, the Nationals assigned Max Kranick to the Fredericksburg Nationals, moving a step closer to making his return to the MLB. Kranick is returning from elbow surgery and is about to play his first game for the Nationals organization since being signed on May 5, 2026.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Past Injuries: Along with having flexor tendon repair surgery in 2025, Kranick also underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022.
When Healthy: In the 2025 season spent with the Mets, the reliever posted a 3.65 ERA, 25 strikeouts, and a 1.05 WHIP through 37 innings pitched.
Upside: While signing someone who's had multiple surgeries in the past can be risky, Washington believes the upside outweighs the risk given Kranick's potential and prior MLB experience.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
When asked about Kranick joining the Nats, Manager Blake Butera said, “He’s been a good pitcher in this league. I’m just excited to get him here. Obviously, he’s still injured and on the IL of course, but I’ve heard nothing but good things. I’m excited to add another arm to the org.”
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
What do you want to see from Kranick before he gets brought up?
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JACOB YOUNG INJURY UPDATE
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Image via Washington Nationals</span>
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Jacob Young left Saturday's game in the eighth inning after colliding with the outfield wall after making a spectacular catch. Young sat out Sunday's matchup and is listed as day-to-day with soreness and tightness on his right side.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Progress: On Sunday morning, Young said he was feeling better and doesn't expect to miss any time.
Coaches Comments: According to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic, “Blake Butera said Jacob Young is doing fine after slamming into the wall and is considered day to day.”
Other Outfielders: If Young misses another game, then the Nats' outfield will continue to be James Wood, Daylen Lile, and Dylan Crews until he returns.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
According to MLB.com, Jacob Young said, “I thought I was closer to the wall when I jumped.” Young later said, “Instead of jumping into it, I landed, then collided with it… and that made it worse.”
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think Young should return immediately, or should the Nats give him extra time off?
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Speed Reads
📌 Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals Series Probable Pitching Matchups (June 22- 25, 2026) (The Nats Report)