Vargas went 2-for-4 with a home run and

EDGE Analysis

The veteran utility man tied his career high in RBI with the performance, which was highlighted by a three-run homer off Sam Long in the seventh inning -- Vargas' fourth homer of the year. The 32-year-old switch hitter has emerged as the Nationals' starting third baseman in the wake of the Jeimer Candelario trade, and he's been surprisingly productive in the role. Vargas is batting just .250 (8-for-32) so far in August, but he has nine RBI and a .531 SLG thanks to three doubles and two homers.

Vargas will start at third base and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Reds, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

He'll be manning the hot corner for the third consecutive game and looks like he'll settle in as the Nationals' top option at the position in the wake of Jeimer Candelario being traded to the Cubs. Jake Alu appeared set to get the first chance to replace Candelario, but he's now picked up two straight starts at second base and should serve as the Nationals' primary option at the keystone after the struggling Luis Garcia was demoted to Triple-A Rochester.

Vargas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas started in all of the Nationals' last three games and produced exactly one base hit in each of those contests to bring his hitting streak up to six games. The Nationals faced left-handed starting pitchers in each of those last three contests, but Vargas will find himself on the bench Sunday versus Rangers right-hander Dane Dunning. Vargas looks as though he'll be limited to a short-side platoon role for the foreseeable future.

Vargas went 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run home run in Sunday's loss to the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

He took Connor Brodgon deep in the ninth inning for a somewhat meaningless blow in an 11-3 rout. Vargas continues to be used sparingly and has only 52 plate appearances on the season, but the veteran utility player has produced a .320/.333/.540 slash line with two homers, nine runs and 10 RBI when he's gotten into the lineup.

Vargas went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's win over the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Getting a rare start at shortstop and batting seventh, Vargas took Joey Wentz deep in the third inning for his second homer of the year. The 31-year-old utility player has been productive when called upon -- he's made seven appearances in May and produced four multi-hit performances, batting .458 (11-for-24) on the month with seven RBI.

The Nationals activated Vargas (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas went on the injured list April 11 after going 1-for-12 to begin the season. A depth infielder, the 31-year-old will likely need to improve drastically before receiving regular playing time.

Vargas (shoulder) joined Triple-A Rochester on Thursday to begin a rehab assignment, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas has been on the injured list for over two weeks due to a strained left shoulder. It's unclear how many games Vargas will play in the minors, but the goal is to get him plenty of at-bats and starts at shortstop. Once he's feeling better, he'll likely return to his role as a depth piece for Washington.

Vargas was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a left shoulder strain retroactive to April 10, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas was reportedly dealing with shoulder stiffness Monday, and now will officially be out for at least 10 days with a strained left shoulder. With Luis Garcia still day-to-day with a hamstring injury, Michael Chavis or the newly-recalled Jeter Downs will fill in at second base for the time being.

Vargas is currently dealing with a stiff shoulder and is scheduled to be checked out by trainers Monday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Nationals are also without Luis Garcia (hamstring), so while Vargas would seem like a natural replacement for the infielder, he's sitting with the shoulder problems while Michael Chavis handles second base. Vargas should be considered day-to-day until the Nationals determine the next step for the 31-year-old veteran.

Vargas will begin the season as the Nationals' primary utility infielder.

EDGE Analysis

The 31-year-old switch hitter posted a surprising .280/.308/.398 slash line in 196 plate appearances for the Nats last season after coming over from the Cubs, earning a one-year deal in the offseason for his efforts. Vargas saw action at three different infield spots as well as left field for Washington in 2022, but his main role this year will probably be to spell Luis Garcia at second base against tough left-handers, although Garcia will get the nod Opening Day against Atlanta's Max Fried.