Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Sat 7/17/21 3:34 PM

Bell will not start Saturday against San Diego, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bell has hit much better over his last 24 games, posting a .309/.385/.506 slash line over that stretch while striking out just 12.1 percent of the time, a big improvement on his .215/.273/.413 line and 26.7 percent strikeout rate over his first 50 contests. He'll sit in favor of Ryan Zimmerman on Saturday, but his recent work in the outfield indicates that the Nationals could be looking for a way to get both in the lineup at the same time at some point in the second half.

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Thu 7/8/21 7:40 PM

Bell was doing work in the outfield prior to Thursday's game against the Padres, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bell was tracking flyballs and moved minimally from side-to-side before making routine catches. Though he hasn't appeared in the outfield since 2016 as a member of the Pirates, Bell came through the team's minor-league system as a right fielder. It's unclear if he'll appear there in game action, though the Nationals have gotten thin on the depth chart with both Kyle Schwarber (hamstring) and Andrew Stevenson (oblique) currently sidelined.

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Tue 7/6/21 9:57 AM

Bell went 3-for-5 with a solo homer, two RBI and a run scored in Monday's 7-5 win over the Padres.
EDGE Analysis
Bell had arguably the biggest hit of the night for the Nationals with a solo homer in the seventh to give them a 6-5 lead. The long ball was his 12th of the year and his two other base hits raised his slash line to .247/.313/.482 with 39 RBI and 37 runs scored. The 28-year-old has shown much improvement at the plate since the start of June, slashing .313/.387/.566. He hasn't struck out once over his last eight games.

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Sat 7/3/21 5:52 PM

Bell isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers.
EDGE Analysis
Bell will be out of the lineup for a second straight game with left-hander Clayton Kershaw on the mound for the Dodgers. Ryan Zimmerman will start at first base and bat third.

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Fri 7/2/21 5:13 PM

Bell is out of the lineup Friday against the Dodgers, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bell will take a seat Friday with southpaw Julio Urias pitching for Los Angeles. Ryan Zimmerman will start at first base and bat cleanup in his place.

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Tue 6/29/21 4:43 PM

Bell is not starting Tuesday's game against the Rays, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The switch hitter has hit .281 with three homers and 10 RBI in his last 10 games. Bell has also struck out just 13.9 percent of the time during that span, as opposed to his 26.6 percent strikeout rate over his first 52 games of the season. Ryan Zimmerman will bat fourth and play first base Tuesday.

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Sun 6/27/21 9:59 PM

Bell went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Marlins.
EDGE Analysis
The Nationals had a strong sixth inning Sunday, and Bell contributed with his 11th home run of the season to extend the team's lead. The 28-year-old missed the first two games of the series due to right side soreness, but he's now gone 4-for-12 with two home runs, six RBI, three runs, a walk and two strikeouts across his last three appearances.

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Sat 6/26/21 1:31 PM

Bell (side) is starting Saturday's game against the Marlins, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bell had missed the last two games due to right side soreness, but he took swings Friday and was available off the bench if needed. He'll start at first base and bat fourth during Saturday's matchup in Miami.

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Fri 6/25/21 10:55 PM

Bell (side) is slated to return to the lineup for Saturday's game against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bell was scratched from Thursday's lineup due to right side soreness that kept him out Friday, but he underwent an MRI that revealed no structural damage. He took swings ahead of Friday's matchup and was available off the bench if needed, and manager Dave Martinez said that the 28-year-old will be back in action Saturday.

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Fri 6/25/21 4:49 PM

Bell (side) is not in the lineup Friday against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The 28-year-old was scratched from Thursday's starting nine with soreness in his right side, and the results from his MRI have yet to be announced. Bell should be considered day-to-day until the Nationals provide an update. In the meantime, Ryan Zimmerman will receive another start at first base.