Alu, who opened the season on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Rochester with an undisclosed injury, has begun a rehab assignment with High-A Wilmington.

EDGE Analysis

It was obviously a minor injury, as Alu figures to miss less than a month of the Triple-A season. Given that he is on the 40-man roster and has little left to prove in the minors (.925 OPS in 59 games at Triple-A), Alu should make his big-league debut sometime this summer.

Alu was optioned to Triple-A Rochester by the Nationals on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Alu was added to the Nats' 40-man roster this offseason and has impressed this camp with his versatility. The 25-year-old has a good shot to debut at some point in 2023 but will get a little more seasoning first.

Alu will get some reps in left field this spring, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old posted a combined .301/.367/.508 line in 132 games between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester last season with 40 doubles, 20 homers and 15 steals in 18 attempts, earning a spot on the 40-man roster in the process. Alu is a long shot to break camp with a spot in the big leagues, but the rebuilding Nationals aren't exactly flush with talent in the outfield. If he can add more defensive versatility to his profile his odds of making his MLB debut some time in 2023 would improve.

Alu was added to the Nationals' 40-man roster Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alu is a nice deep-league sleeper, as he had statistical success at Triple-A and pretty clear path to playing time in the majors. Carter Kieboom and Ildemaro Vargas are the top options at third base for the Nationals, so Alu could get a look at the hot corner at some point in 2023. The 25-year-old lefty hitter slashed .323/.372/.553 with 11 home runs, six steals and an 18.2 percent strikeout rate in 59 games at Triple-A.