Winker (knee) is starting in left field and batting third Saturday against the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Winker was battling knee problems after getting his foot caught in the outfield grass during the first inning of Friday's game, but he appears to be in good enough shape to play Saturday. The 30-year-old has slashed .260/.377/.412 through 302 plate appearances this season, though he may see limited work in the outfield after top prospect James Wood officially joins the Nationals for his MLB debut Monday.

Winker said after Friday's game versus Tampa Bay that imaging revealed no structural damage in his right knee, and he's hopeful that he'll be able to play Saturday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winker tweaked his knee after his foot got caught in the outfield turf while running down a flyball during the first inning. He had to come out of the game early and was noticeably limping as he walked into the dugout, though it appears he managed to avoid a significant injury. Should Winker have to sit out Saturday's game, Ildemaro Vargas would be a likely candidate to start in left field.

Winker was removed from Friday's game against the Rays with what appears to be a right ankle injury, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winker sustained the injury running into the wall while tracking down a flyball in the first inning. Though he was able to walk off under his own power, he sported a noticeable limp. Ildemaro Vargas replaced Winker in left field.

Winker went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 9-7 loss to the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Winker took Adam Mazur deep in the third inning to cap off a four-run rally for the Nationals. That was Winker's ninth homer of the year and his third over the last seven contests. The outfielder is up to a .264/.382/.419 slash line with 36 RBI, 37 runs scored and 12 stolen bases through 76 games this season.

Winker isn't in the Nationals' lineup for Sunday's game versus Colorado.

EDGE Analysis

The left-handed bat of Winker will step out of the lineup Sunday as the Nationals prepare to face left-handed starter Kyle Freeland. Ildemaro Vargas will enter to cover left field and bat third while Winker sits.

Winker went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

For the second straight game, Winker went yard in the sixth inning, this time taking Ryne Nelson deep. While those are the veteran outfielder's only two long balls in June, he's otherwise putting together an impressive month, slashing .389/.484/.519 through 17 games with nine runs and 10 RBI.

Winker went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Arizona.

EDGE Analysis

He delivered what proved to be the game-winning hit in the sixth inning when he drove a Brandon Pfaadt splitter over the fence in left-center field. Winker snapped a 25-game homer drought with the blast, but he wasn't exactly slumping during that stretch, batting .333 (25-for-75) over that stretch. On the season, the 30-year-old outfielder is slashing .266/.380/.406 with seven homers, 11 steals, 33 RBI and 34 runs in 70 contests.

Winker went 2-for-3 with a double in Tuesday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

The Nats managed only four hits on the night in a shutout loss, with Winker's fourth-inning double being the team's only extra-base hit. The 30-year-old outfielder sat out Sunday's game after tweaking his knee on the basepaths Saturday, but he seemed no worse for wear Tuesday. On the season, Winker is slashing .270/.381/.398 with six homers, 31 RBI, 33 runs and a career-high 11 steals in 69 contests.

Winker (knee) is batting third and playing left field Tuesday against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Winker exited Saturday's game against the Marlins with a right knee injury, but he's back in the Nationals' lineup after a one-game absence. The 30-year-old is slashing .265/.378/.390 with 11 stolen bases this season.

Winker, who is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins, said an MRI on his right knee showed no structural damage, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winker noted, however, that he's still dealing with some stiffness in his right knee, which he injured while running the bases in the first inning of Saturday's 4-0 win before he was pulled in the third inning. The 30-year-old said that he expects to be good to go after a couple of days of rest, and he'll benefit from the Nationals being off Monday before the team begins a three-game set with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.