Nats prospects James Wood, Dylan Crews reassigned to minor league camp

None of the eight players will make the Opening Day roster, barring a last-minute injury in camp.

The Nationals also unconditionally released right-hander Zach Davies after he had a 9.00 ERA in the spring, a decision that probably signals right-hander Trevor Williams will resume his role as the team’s fifth starter to start the season rather than making a move to the bullpen as a long reliever. This would leave eight jobs open for the nine relievers left in camp (eight right-handers and left-hander Robert Garcia).

Notably absent from the cuts was utility infielder Trey Lipscomb, 23, who won the organization’s minor league Gold Glove award last year and has hit .364 this spring. Manager Dave Martinez indicated that were Lipscomb to make the roster, it would preferably be as a starter. He probably is competing with Luis García Jr. for the job at second base.

Many of the team’s top prospects largely met or exceeded what were already sky-high expectations during spring training.

Wood had the most impressive spring of the four reassigned prospects, showcasing all five tools and lowering his strikeout rate (31.5 percent last season to 22.6 percent this spring), while finishing with a .341 batting average, a .491 on-base percentage, a .707 slugging percentage and four home runs.

Although Crews (.161, one homer) and House (.250, one homer) struggled at the plate in the final month of camp, both showed flashes that impressed Martinez. Hassell (.357, one homer) seemed to take a real step forward before his spring was cut short by a minor groin strain March 8. He is expected to return to minor league games in early April.

In the bottom of the ninth Thursday, the prospects had one final curtain call. Wood hit an opposite-field homer and Crews hit a walk-off single as the Nationals beat the Minnesota Twins, 9-8.

“They’re not afraid of a big moment,” Martinez said.

Stone Garrett continues to progress

Martinez provided an update on outfielder Stone Garrett this week, saying the 28-year-old has been fielding and hitting for “six or seven innings” in games at minor league camp as he works his way back from a broken left fibula and broken ankle suffered in August.

Martinez said he still sees Garrett limping after games and thinks it’s “going to be some time” before he returns. He did not offer a specific timetable.