Victor Robles and the Washington Nationals avoided arbitration last winter, agreeing to a one-year/$2.325 million contract for the 2023 season and a $3.3 million club option in his 2024 contract. , the club rejected the option in November. , as announced on X/Twitter, however: [remained] Under the control of the team [was] He is eligible for salary arbitration this offseason. ”
The 26-year-old outfielder hit 32-for-107 (.299/.385/.365) at the plate in 2023, but a hip injury forced a stint on the IL in early May, playing just 36 games. He only participated in the tournament. He returned to action in mid-June, but ended up going back to the IL on June 20th and did not return to the majors. Manager Davey Martinez said it was disappointing considering Robles’ play earlier this year.
“That stinks for him and it stinks for us because we asked him to change his swing.” Martínez said, as quoted by MASN’s Mark Zuckerman..
“He did it and he did it really, really well. I really wish we could have seen that in 550 at-bats because I think he would have surprised a lot of people. But now as time goes on, you understand.”
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Robles made his major league debut in 2017, played limited games in the majors in 2018, and was a member of the championship squad in 2019. In 155 games and 617 PA, he posted a .255/.326/.419 line with 33 doubles, 3 triples, 17 home runs, 35 walks, and 140 Ks.
However, from 2020 to 2022, Robles posted a combined line of .216/.291/.306 in 291 games and 965 PA, averaging 20 doubles, 2 triples, and 6 home runs in 162 games during that span. Recorded. Although he got off to a good start last season, he has been sidelined since June 20th due to back issues, and GM and Baseball Ops Director Mike Rizzo told reporters that Robles was expected to remain at the end of the year. He said he was finally healthy.
“I think his back is healthy for now.” As quoted by MASN’s Zuckerman, Rizzo explained:Martinez told reporters in June that Robles was suffering from “lumbar back spasms.”
“He’s doing rehab training,” Rizzo added. “He’s going to start baseball training soon. And, hopefully, he’ll be able to play in the winter league and get back some of the at-bats that he missed this year due to injury.”
“I’m looking at players who showed great performance on the big stage when they were rookies, when they were kids,” the GM said. “We know who he is. All we need is to get him back to his 2019 level.”
Robles and the Nationals agreed to a reportedly one-year/$2.65 million contract in 2024 in mid-November, and Rizzo and Martinez discussed his future and his status at that point in their 2023 winter meetings.
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Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos (via Getty Images)
“I think it was yesterday or today, he just got released,” Rizzo said on Dec. 4.
“He just got medically cleared to play and will probably start playing in the Dominican Republic as soon as tonight.”
When asked what he hopes to see from Robles in 2024, Rizzo said it’s simple.
“Be healthy and be Victor,” Rizzo said. “Like Victor in 2019, he played with fire in his hair when he was a rookie and was a very good player.
“We know it’s there and we’re waiting for it to come back. And a healthy Victor playing like he played in 2019 is an asset to the team.
“He’s an elite defensive player, showed some strength and showed he’s capable of stealing bases. It’s important for us to get him back in his place.”
Martinez was asked if, as things stand, Robles will be the regular center fielder expected in D.C. in 2024.
“Everything depends on his health,” he said. “I’m happy to have him back. We could definitely use him.”
Coach Rizzo also mentioned late last season that the next generation of Nationals will begin to challenge some members of the Major League roster in the near future, with many talented outfield candidates potentially working within the organization.
“We have players [champing] “They’re on the verge of reaching the big leagues, and they’ll be following in the footsteps of a lot of the big league players who are currently on the roster,” Rizzo said.
“So, this is what this is all about: competing at the highest level.”
As of January 1, Robles has appeared in a total of eight games in the Dominican Winter League, recording five hits, four walks, and three kicks in 21 at-bats for Toros del Este.
