The Nationals and Garcia avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear what Garcia's salary will be, but he'll receive a raise after making $4.5 million in 2025. The second baseman slashed .252/.289/.412 with 16 home runs and 14 stolen bases across 139 games this past season. Garcia will be eligible for salary arbitration a final time next winter.

Garcia went 3-for-4 with three home runs and four RBI in Friday's 10-9 loss to the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Garcia did his best to spark a comeback from an early seven-run deficit, slugging three home runs for the first time in his career. The effort was especially encouraging for the 25-year-old, who had gone just 3-for-32 since his last multi-hit game Sept. 10. On the season, he's slashing .255/.291/.417 with 16 homers, 66 RBI, 66 runs scored and 13 steals across 519 plate appearances.

Garcia will start at first base and bat fifth in Tuesday's game against Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

It marks the first time in pro ball that Garcia has ever played first base. It's also Garcia's first start since Friday, as he was out of the lineup for each of the last three games. Nasim Nunez is handling second base for the Nationals on Tuesday and could be threatening to overtake Garcia at the keystone.

Garcia is out of the lineup for Monday's game in Atlanta, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-handed-hitting Garcia will hit the bench for the third game in a row, with the Nationals having faced two lefties and one righty during that stretch. Paul DeJong will get the nod at second base Monday in Garcia's stead.

Garcia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

With southpaw Sean Manaea opening the game for the Mets, the left-handed-hitting Garcia will retreat to the bench. Paul DeJong will fill in for Garcia at second base.

Garcia isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mets, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

After going 0-for-4 in Friday's series opener, Garcia will step out of the starting nine Saturday while Nasim Nunez starts at second base and bats ninth.

Garcia is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Miami.

EDGE Analysis

The left-handed-swinging Garcia will often sit out against lefty hurlers, and that will be the case here as the Marlins start southpaw Ryan Weathers. Nasim Nunez will get the call at second base for the Nationals.

Garcia went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI in Friday's 11-5 loss to the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Garcia launched a two-run homer in the fourth inning before adding a sacrifice fly in the sixth. The 25-year-old has opened September strong, hitting safely in three of four games with five RBI, three runs scored and three stolen bases. On the season, he's slashing .260/.295/.409 with 12 home runs, 60 RBI, 59 runs scored and 13 steals across 464 plate appearances.

Garcia went 1-for-4 with a run scored, two RBI and two stolen bases in Wednesday's 10-5 win over the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old swiped multiple bags in the same game for the first time since May 1, giving him 13 steals on the season in 18 attempts. Garcia hasn't been able to repeat his 2024 numbers, but he's reached double-digit home runs and stolen bases for the second straight year, and over his last 11 contests he's batting .286 (10-for-35) with two doubles, two homers, three steals, five runs and six RBI.

Garcia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

The left-handed-hitting Garcia was included in the lineup for Wednesday's 11-2 loss to the Yankees while New York sent southpaw Max Fried to the hill, but the infielder will hit the bench Sunday versus Rays lefty Ian Seymour. With Garcia out of the lineup, Paul DeJong will receive the starting nod at the keystone.