Alu retired from professional baseball Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Alu exceeded expectations as a 24th-round pick, reaching the majors in 2023, but he had just a .571 OPS during his stint with the Nationals that year and put up a .670 OPS at Triple-A Rochester in 2024. The 27-year-old will now move on to the next phase of his life.

Alu cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alu was designated for assignment Tuesday and will stick in the organization after he went unclaimed on waivers. The 27-year-old struggled to .538 OPS in 65 plate appearances at Rochester before he lost his place on Washington's 40-man roster.

The Nationals designated Alu for assignment Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

At one point, Alu looked like a good bet to carve out a super-utility role with the big club, but he posted just a .571 OPS in the majors last season and had an even worse .537 OPS this year at Triple-A Rochester. The 27-year-old could still draw some interest via trade or waivers from a club looking to add versatility.

The Nationals optioned Alu to Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Alu got on base at a .409 clip over 11 Grapefruit League games, but the fact that he has two minor-league options remaining and slashed a pedestrian .226/.282/.289 over a larger sample of 175 plate appearances in the big leagues last season likely worked against him in his bid for a utility role with the Nationals. He should play on an everyday basis while he's with Rochester.

Alu is out of the lineup for Sunday's game versus Atlanta, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alu started the last seven games but will end the season on the bench for Washington. The 26-year-old struggled to a .226/.282/.289 slash line with two homers, five steals and 16 RBI in the first 50 games of this big-league career this season.

Alu went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 10-6 win over Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old has been holding down a near-everyday role since the beginning of August, but despite playing regularly, he hasn't offered much fantasy utility outside of very deep mixed leagues or NL-only leagues. His home run Friday was just his second of the season, and Alu's contributions in other categories (.231 average, 16 RBI, 14 runs and five stolen bases in 49 games) haven't been enough to compensate for the lack of power.

Alu isn't in the Nationals' lineup Thursday against Atlanta, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With lefty starter Max Fried on the bump for Atlanta, Alu will take a seat for the beginning of Thursday's contest. His absence will allow Alex Call to start in right field and bat eighth.

Alu is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Blake Rutherford, Jacob Young and Lane Thomas will start across the outfield for the Nationals as Luis Garcia covers second base. Alu, 26, has batted just .221/.262/.250 across his first 42 major-league games (146 plate appearances) this season with Washington.

Alu is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alu will hit the bench after he had started each of the Nationals' last 14 games at second base or in left field, slashing .216/.273/.216 over that stretch. Given his lack of productivity, Alu could fade into more a utility role moving forward with September call-ups Luis Garcia and Travis Blankenhorn having seemingly emerged as the Nationals' preferred option at second base and in left field, respectively.

Alu isn't in the Nationals' lineup Friday against the Marlins, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Southpaw Braxton Garrett will begin Friday's contest on the mound for Miami, meaning the left-handed bat of Alu will stay put in the dugout. Ildemaro Vargas will start in left field while Alu sits, and Michael Chavis will get the nod at second base.