Alu was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Alu will head back to Triple-A after he was called up to replace Joey Meneses (paternity) on the active roster Wednesday. Alu went 2-for-4 in Thursday's loss to the Marlins and has now gone 3-for-13 in limited action in the majors this season. With Meneses back Friday, Alu was the odd man out and will have to wait for his next opportunity with the big-league club.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jake Alu: Returning from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Nationals will call up Alu from Triple-A Rochester prior to Wednesday's game against the Marlins, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Alu was optioned back to Triple-A on Monday following Corey Dickerson's return from the injured list, but he'll rejoin the Nationals just two days later with first baseman/designated hitter Joey Meneses going on the paternity list. According to Blanco, Alu may not arrive in Miami prior to Wednesday's 6:40 p.m. ET opening pitch, so he might not be ready to play until Thursday's series finale.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jake Alu: Sent back to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Nationals optioned Alu to Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
After being called up from Rochester last Monday, Alu received three starts in left field during a five-game stretch, going a collective 1-for-9 with a walk and a stolen base. However, with lefty-hitting Corey Dickerson (calf) returning from the 10-day injured list Monday and presumably in line to reclaim a strong-side platoon role in left field, the Nationals won't have regular playing time available for Alu and will send him back to Triple-A as a result. The righty-hitting Stone Garrett remains with the Nationals and should serve as Dickerson's primary platoon mate.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jake Alu: Getting steady work versus righties
Rotowire
Alu will start in left field and bat fifth in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Mets, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Alu will start for the third time in the past five games, with all coming against right-handed pitchers. Even though he bats from the right side, Alu has ceded the last two starts against southpaws to fellow right-handed hitter Stone Garrett, so the two players could end up forming a non-traditional platoon in left field. Since his call-up from Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Alu has gone 1-for-7 with a walk and a stolen base.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jake Alu: Batting ninth in debut
Rotowire
Alu is starting in left field and batting ninth in his MLB debut Tuesday against the Giants, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Alu was promoted Monday from Triple-A Rochester, where had slashed .247/.322/.377 with two home runs and three stolen bases through 21 games this season. The 26-year-old is a versatile defender but is unlikely to offer significant fantasy production.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jake Alu: Gets call-up
Rotowire
The Nationals recalled Alu from Triple-A Rochester on Monday.
Alu hasn't done much so far this season with Rochester, batting .247/.322/.377 with two homers through 21 games. He was excellent between Double-A Harrisburg and Rochester in 2022, though, with an .871 OPS, 20 dingers and 15 steals. Alu can play all over the field and should operate in a super-utility role with the Nats. He'll be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jake Alu: Joining big-league club
Rotowire
Alu is traveling to San Francisco to meet the Nationals ahead of Monday's series opener against the Giants, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
The club hasn't officially made any roster moves, but Victor Robles (back) appears headed to the injured list. Alu is a third baseman by trade but has recently seen some action in the corner outfield. The 26-year-old prospect has struggled early this season for Triple-A Rochester with a .240/.318/.333 slash line through 20 games.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jake Alu: Joins up with Rochester
Rotowire
Alu (hamstring) joined up Thursday with Triple-A Rochester following a rehab assignment, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Alu began the season on Rochester's injured list, but he is good to go now following a four-game stint with High-A Wilmington. The 26-year-old had a strong showing in the upper minors last summer, batting .299/.365/.506 with 20 home runs, 81 RBI, 15 stolen bases and 81 runs scored in 132 games between Double-A and Triple-A.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jake Alu: Rehabbing at High-A
Rotowire
Alu, who opened the season on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Rochester with a knee sprain, began a rehab assignment with High-A Wilmington on Friday.
The injury is apparently a minor one, and Alu looks like he'll be back with Rochester before long. Given that he occupies a spot on the 40-man roster and has little left to prove in the minors (.925 OPS in 59 career games at Triple-A), Alu should make his big-league debut sometime this summer.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jake Alu: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Alu was optioned to Triple-A Rochester by the Nationals on Friday.
Alu was added to the Nats' 40-man roster this offseason and has impressed this camp with his versatility. The 25-year-old has a good shot to debut at some point in 2023 but will get a little more seasoning first.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jake Alu: To get look in left field
Rotowire
Alu will get some reps in left field this spring, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
The 25-year-old posted a combined .301/.367/.508 line in 132 games between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester last season with 40 doubles, 20 home runs and 15 stolen bases in 19 attempts, earning a spot on the 40-man roster in the process. Alu is a long shot to break camp with a spot in the big leagues, but the rebuilding Nationals aren't exactly flush with talent in the outfield. If he can add more defensive versatility to his profile, his odds of making his MLB debut some time in 2023 would improve.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Jake Alu: Added to 40-man roster
Rotowire
Alu was added to the Nationals' 40-man roster Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Alu is a nice deep-league sleeper, as he had statistical success at Triple-A and has a pretty clear path to playing time in the majors. Carter Kieboom and Ildemaro Vargas are the top options at third base for the Nationals, so Alu could get a look at the hot corner at some point in 2023. The 25-year-old lefty hitter slashed .323/.372/.553 with 11 home runs, six steals and an 18.2 percent strikeout rate in 59 games at Triple-A.
