Eaton (knee) is starting in right field and batting leadoff Monday against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Eaton is back in action after missing the last four games with a knee issue. Through 17 games in September, the outfielder owns a .255/.397/.333 slash line to go with seven runs scored, two stolen bases and a 9:10 K:BB. While Eaton has been cleared to return, the Nationals -- who are out of playoff contention -- may opt to play it safe and limit his playing time over the final week of the season given his injury history since joining Washington.

Eaton (knee) is on the bench again Sunday against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Eaton will miss his fourth straight start due to lingering knee pain. With the Nationals out of the playoff race, it's possible he gets shut down for the year, though no such plan has been officially announced.

Eaton (knee) remains out of the lineup Saturday against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Eaton finds himself on the bench for the fifth time in six games. That's partially related to his aching left knee but also due to the Nationals wanting to get an extended look at Victor Robles down the stretch. Robles starts in center again Saturday, bumping Bryce Harper to right field.

Eaton's string of recent absences have been a result of his left knee aching, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eaton has sat in favor of Victor Robles for four of the last five games. Robles' youth and the fact that the Nationals are out of the playoff race would appear to be enough justification for him to start, but it's possible that Eaton would be getting more at-bats if healthy. With just nine games left in the season, however, it's possible that the situation remains the same until the season's end so that Eaton can rest and the team gets a chance to see what Robles can do.

Eaton is on the bench for the fourth time in five games Friday against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Eaton had originally only been losing playing time to Victor Robles against lefties but has now sat against two of the last three righties in addition to each of the last five lefties. Eaton's .294/.383/.405 line doesn't cry out for a demotion, but with the Nationals out of the playoff race they have good reason to rest their injury-plagued veteran in favor of the rookie. Robles will be in center Friday with Bryce Harper in right, in what appears to be the default configuration going forward.

Eaton is out of the starting nine against the Mets on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Eaton will head to the bench with left-hander Jason Vargas on the mound for New York. Victor Robles will join the lineup in his place, starting in center field and batting atop the order.

Eaton will sit Monday against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Eaton has been in a platoon role in September, sitting against lefties to allow Victor Robles to enter the lineup. He'll sit Monday against the right-handed Trevor Richards, with Robles in center and Bryce Harper in right.

Eaton is not in the lineup Sunday against the Braves, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eaton has just a .564 OPS against southpaws this season, so he'll head to the bench Sunday to avoid a lefty-on-lefty matchup with Atlanta's southpaw starter Sean Newcomb. Victor Robles will join the outfield and bat leadoff in his place.

Eaton is out of the lineup versus the Cubs on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Eaton will head to the bench with the club facing southpaw Mike Montgomery for the second time in the past five days. In his absence, Victor Robles will get a start in the outfield and hit atop the Nationals' order.

Eaton is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Left-hander Mike Montgomery will take the mound for Chicago, keeping Eaton on the bench for the second straight game. Rookie Victor Robles gets the start in center field, with Bryce Harper sliding over to right field for the Nationals.