May 6, 2025
Washington Nationals first baseman/designated hitter
Josh Bell (groin) is serving as the DH and is batting cleanup for Game 2 of the team's doubleheader on Tuesday against the visiting Cleveland Guardians and right-hander
Ben Lively. This will be the first time that Bell has played since injuring his groin last Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds. The 32-year-old veteran left-handed slugger still has lots of raw power from the left side, but he's been extremely inconsistent so far in 2025 and is typically all or nothing. Bell is hitting .139 (15-for-108) on the season with five home runs, 14 RBI and 12 runs scored in his first 30 games this year. In his last five games, Bell has gone 3-for-19 with a home run. Despite all his swing and miss, Bell has averaged 21 home runs over the last four years.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 6, 2025
Washington Nationals first baseman/designated hitter
Josh Bell (groin) will not start in Game 1 of the team's doubleheader on Tuesday against the visiting Cleveland Guardians. Bell will miss another game after injuring his groin last Friday. It's unclear if he'll be ready to return for Game 2 on Tuesday against Guardians right-hander
Ben Lively. Outfielder
James Wood is the DH and is batting third, while
Alex Call starts in left field and hits second in Game 1 against Cleveland right-hander
Luis L. Ortiz. Bell, who has typically been an all-or-nothing hitter at the plate, is batting just .139 (15-for-108) on the year with five home runs, 14 RBI and 12 runs scored in 30 games played. He has 27 strikeouts and 12 walks in his 121 plate appearances. Wood has one hit in just three career at-bats versus Ortiz, while Call has never faced the Guardians pitcher.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 3, 2025
Washington Nationals first baseman
Josh Bell (groin) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. The switch-hitting slugger was pulled out of Friday's contest due to a groin issue. As a result, Bell will take a seat on Saturday as well, but he's not expected to be placed on the injured list. The Nats are just going to be cautious and give him a little time to rest and recover. In his absence,
James Wood will serve as the designated hitter while
Alex Call moves into the outfield on Saturday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
April 17, 2025
Washington Nationals catcher
Keibert Ruiz and first baseman
Josh Bell are out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
Riley Adams is behind the dish and is batting eighth, while
Nathaniel Lowe is starting at first base and is hitting cleanup for the Nats against Pirates left-hander
Andrew Heaney.
James Wood is the designated hitter and is batting second. Ruiz is getting his second day off of the season after starting strong with a .317 average (20-for-63) with two homers and 11 RBI. The 26-year-old should be back for Friday's series opener in Denver against the Colorado Rockies. Bell will get the day off against a lefty after going just 3-for-27 with a homer in the last seven games. Adams has gone hitless in just two career at-bats against Heaney, while Lowe has two hits in both of his at-bats against Heaney.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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