Dozier will bat second and man the keystone Wednesday against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

The Nationals are playing their first game without star shortstop Trea Turner, who fractured a finger in Tuesday's game and will be sidelined indefinitely. His absence creates an opening in the No. 2 spot in the lineup, and Dozier appears in line to get the first shot at filling the void. Victor Robles' blend of speed and on-base skills could eventually earn him a look in one of the top two spots in the order, but he may be more likely to replace leadoff man Adam Eaton versus left-handed pitchers rather than bumping Dozier down in the lineup.

Dozier has gone hitless with three strikeouts over 10 at-bats this season.

EDGE Analysis

Tabbed to replace Daniel Murphy at the keystone this season, Dozier hasn't made an impression at the plate but has drawn praise for the upgrade he has provided defensively, according to Byron Kerr of MASN Sports. Dozier's long track record of supplying above-average power from the middle infield should afford him a decent amount of leash in an everyday role before manager Dave Martinez would consider taking a longer look at utility man Wilmer Difo or top prospect Carter Kieboom.

The Nationals scratched Dozier from their lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Dozier was initially slated to start at second base and hit fifth, but the Nationals will instead have him get 6-to-7 at-bats in a minor-league game, per Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post. The most important takeaway here is that Dozier's removal from the lineup isn't due to an injury, so he remains on track to serve as the Nationals' everyday second baseman to begin the season.

Dozier went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran slugger only has five hits in 24 at-bats this spring, but three of them (two homers and a double) have gone for extra bases. Dozier is coming off a career-worst .215 batting average in 2018, but even if his contact issues continue, his power and patience give him a solid floor for fantasy value in his first campaign with the Nats.

Dozier said Tuesday that the bone bruise in his left knee is 100 percent healed, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dozier dealt with a bone bruise throughout much of the 2018 campaign. While the issue was never serious enough to warrant a trip to the disabled list, it apparently lead the veteran infielder to develop bad habits at the plate, which could help explain the his down year (.215/.305/.391 in 151 games with the Twins and Dodgers). Dozier still managed to collect double-digit homers (21) and steals (12) for the sixth consecutive season, and will be an attractive bounce-back candidate in 2019 after signing a one-year deal with the Nationals.

Dozier agreed to a one-year, $9 million contract with the Nationals on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran second baseman had a down year overall in 2018, producing his worst batting average (.215) and on-base percentage (.305) of his career, as well as his second-worst slugging percentage (.391) ever. However, he still managed to produce 21 home runs and 12 stolen bases, the sixth consecutive season in which he put up double-digit totals in both categories. Despite the positives, Dozier's struggles cooled his market considerably, but the Nationals decided to pounce in order to fill their second base vacancy. Dozier figures to be the frontrunner for the starting gig at second base, with Howie Kendrick, Wilmer Difo and Adrian Sanchez posing as the only threats to the top spot on the depth chart.

Dozier will bat atop the order and man second base for Game 2 of the World Series against Boston on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Dave Roberts will keep the 31-year-old at the leadoff position after he went 0-for-2 with a walk and one run scored during Tuesday's game. Following Dozier in the order will be Justin Turner and David Freese with Manny Machado in the cleanup spot.

Dozier is not starting Saturday against the Giants, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dozier has fallen into the short side of a platoon in September, starting against every lefty while sitting against every righty over the last 21 games. With righty Dereck Rodriguez on the mound Saturday, Dozier finds himself on the bench, but expect him back in the lineup for the finale against southpaw Andrew Suarez.

Dozier is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dozier will sit for a second straight game with right-hander Zack Greinke toeing the rubber for the Diamondbacks. In his place, Chris Taylor is starting at the keystone and hitting eighth.

Dozier is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Dozier, who is just 3-for-42 (.071) through 18 games in September, will head to the bench after starting five of the last six games at second base. Enrique Hernandez will cover the keystone in his absence, hitting eighth.