Pineda cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Pineda is no longer on the Nationals' 40-man roster but will retain a spot in the organization. The 23-year-old catcher slashed just .152/.215/.212 across 107 plate appearances at Double-A Harrisburg in 2023.
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Nationals' Israel Pineda: DFA'd by Nats
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The Nationals designated Pineda for assignment Saturday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Pineda will lose his spot on the 40-man roster to make room for Joey Gallo, whose signing became official Saturday. Pineda played in four games for the Nationals in 2022, but the 23-year-old backstop didn't make it past Double-A Harrisburg in 2023, where he slashed just .152/.215/.212 across 107 plate appearances. He will likely return to Double-A to begin 2024.
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Nationals' Israel Pineda: Activated and optioned
Rotowire
The Nationals reinstated Pineda (oblique) from the 60-day injured list Sunday and optioned him to Double-A Harrisburg, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Pineda has spent the entire season on the IL due to the left oblique strain, though he was cleared to begin a rehab assignment in late May before being shut down soon thereafter due to a setback. The 23-year-old catcher was cleared to return to game action in the minors coming out of the All-Star break and will ultimately settle at the Double-A level now that his 20-day rehab window has come to an end. Washington granted right-hander Paolo Espino his unconditional release to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Pineda.
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Nationals' Israel Pineda: Moved to 60-day IL
Rotowire
Pineda (oblique) was transferred Wednesday from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
This move clears out a 40-man roster spot for Rico Garcia, who is joining the Nationals' bullpen Wednesday. Pineda originally landed on the 15-day IL at the end of spring training because of a fractured finger and then suffered a left oblique strain in May just as he embarked on a minor-league rehab assignment. It's unclear when he might be ready again for live games.
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Nationals' Israel Pineda: Suffers oblique strain
Rotowire
Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Friday that Pineda (finger) is now dealing with a left oblique strain, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Pineda began a minor-league rehab assignment last week with High-A Wilmington, but he'll be shut down again for at least the next couple of weeks. The 23-year-old catcher originally landed on the injured list in March due to a fractured right pinkie finger.
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Nationals' Israel Pineda: Set for rehab games
Rotowire
Pineda (finger) was cleared Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment with High-A Wilmington, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Pineda was placed on the major-league injured list just before Opening Day after suffering a fractured finger on his right hand during spring training. He'll probably be stationed at Triple-A Rochester whenever he's deemed fully healthy, with Keibert Ruiz and Riley Adams remaining up as the catching tandem in Washington.
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Nationals' Israel Pineda: Won't open in big leagues
Rotowire
Pineda (finger) won't break camp with the Nationals and will instead remain at the organization's extended spring training in Florida to begin the season, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Since the Nationals are likely keen on giving the 22-year-old backstop regular playing time, Pineda never seemed to be a good bet to be included on the Opening Day roster while Keibert Ruiz is installed as the big club's clear No. 1 catcher. The displaced right pinkie finger that Pineda suffered in early March essentially ended any small hope he might have had of joining the Nationals for Opening Day, so it's no surprise that he'll continue to conduct his rehab in Florida before likely reporting to Triple-A Rochester. Washington has yet to announce whether Pineda will be formally optioned to Triple-A or placed on the big club's 10-day injured list.
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Nationals' Israel Pineda: Picks up hand injury
Rotowire
Pineda will undergo X-rays after being struck by a pitch on the hand in Saturday's spring game, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
The tests figure to reveal whether or not Pineda will miss any time with the injury. His status will be updated again when more information is released.
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Nationals' Israel Pineda: Gets spot in roster pool
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The Nationals added Pineda to their 60-man roster pool Sunday, David Driver of the Harrisonburg Daily News-Record reports.
The 20-year-old backstop spent most of the 2019 campaign at Low-A Hagerstown, slashing .217/.278/.305 over 411 plate appearances. He's not considered a major prospect in Washington's farm system and is likely just joining the roster pool to provide the organization with some extra depth behind the plate during simulated games at the team's alternate training site in Fredericksburg.
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Nationals' Israel Pineda: Finding footing at Low-A
Rotowire
Pineda went 2-for-4 with two walks, two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI for Low-A Hagerstown on Friday.
The 19-year-old collected just one hit in his first 16 at-bats to begin the season but has started to find a rhythm at the plate, going 9-for-34 (.265) with a homer and five RBI over his last nine games. Pineda is a long way from the majors, but after a solid debut in the NY-Penn League last year, another strong campaign could have him moving up prospect lists quickly.
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Nationals' Israel Pineda: Set for breakout season
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Pindea will open the year with Low-A Hagerstown, Mike Rosenbaum of MLB.com reports.
One of the top catching prospects who has yet to make his full-season debut, Pineda could be primed for a breakout year. He just turned 19, but hit .273/.341/.388 (118 wRC+) with four home runs last year in short-season ball, so he is much more advanced at the plate than most of his peers at the position.
