The Washington Nationals scratched center fielder Jacob Young from Saturday's lineup against the Pittsburgh Pirates because of left-hand soreness, announcing the change shortly before first pitch.
Young was originally slated to start before the club removed him as a precaution. No injured list move accompanied the announcement, and the Nationals provided no additional diagnosis or timetable, leaving the 26-year-old listed as day-to-day.
The injury is unrelated to the right-side soreness Young dealt with after crashing into the outfield wall while making a highlight catch against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 20. He missed only one game following that incident before returning to the lineup.
Young, a seventh-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of Florida, has spent his entire professional career with Washington since making his major league debut on Aug. 26, 2023.
Following Young's removal, Dylan Crews shifted to center field while James Wood moved to right field and José Tena entered the lineup as the designated hitter. The adjustments allowed Washington to keep its defensive alignment intact without making a roster move.
Through 83 games this season, Young is batting .225 with a .275 on-base percentage and a .651 OPS. He has already established career highs with eight home runs and 31 RBIs while adding 33 runs scored and eight stolen bases. His speed and defense have made him Washington's everyday center fielder despite inconsistent offensive production.
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Young remains an important part of the Nationals' young core alongside James Wood, Dylan Crews and CJ Abrams. Even a short absence affects the club's outfield defense and lineup flexibility as the organization continues evaluating its emerging talent.
Washington continued its series against the Pirates at Nationals Park on Saturday. Young's availability beyond the game remained uncertain pending further evaluation, though the absence of an injured list move suggests the club hopes the issue will be short-term.
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