The Nationals requested unconditional release waivers Saturday for Lowe.

EDGE Analysis

Lowe was designated for assignment Thursday and the Nationals have opted to place the 29-year-old on release waivers. Assuming Lowe clears waivers, which is expected given his $10.3 million contract, he'll become a free agent.

The Nationals designated Lowe for assignment Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Lowe has significantly underperformed expectations since being traded to Washington last offseason, slashing just .216/.292/.373 (all career worsts) through 490 plate appearances. That kind of production hasn't been worth his $10.3 million price tag, so the Nationals will let him go in order to make room for the return of Dylan Crews (oblique) from the 60-day IL. Lowe's departure leaves Josh Bell as the main option for starts at first base, while opening up DH for the team's young outfielders.

Lowe went 1-for-3 with two walks and a grand slam in Wednesday's 8-7 win over the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

He got the fireworks started by hooking a Seth Lugo curveball over the fence in the right-field corner in the first inning. It was Lowe's first homer since July 19, ending a 20-game power drought, and his 16th of the season. The veteran first baseman still has some work to do to put his slump behind him, however -- in 23 contests since the All-Star break, he's batting only .160 (12-for-75) with three doubles, two long balls and seven RBI.

Lowe is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lowe appears to be getting a rare rest day Sunday after starting in each of the Nationals' last 38 games dating back to June 17. Josh Bell will cover first base, and James Wood will get a day out of the outfield as the designated hitter.

Lowe went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Lowe extended the Nationals' lead to 4-2 with a 402-foot blast in the sixth inning. The first baseman has three hits in two games since returning from the All-Star break, and he's homered twice with eight RBI and nine runs scored through 14 July contests. For the season, he's slashing .231/.296/.401 with 15 home runs, 62 RBI, 45 runs scored and one stolen base across 408 plate appearances.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

His first-inning long ball off Andre Pallante got the ball rolling on an 8-2 rout. Lowe snapped a 13-game homer drought with the blast, but he's been productive over the last few weeks, slashing .263/.318/.537 over his last 20 contests with five of his 14 home runs on the season and 17 of his 61 RBI.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a triple, four RBI and one run scored in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

After going hitless in Game 1, Lowe got going early in Game 2 with an RBI single in the first inning before delivering the game-winning blow with a bases-loaded triple in the eighth. The first baseman has been streaky over his past 10 games, going hitless four times but also logging five multi-hit efforts and 13 RBI. On the season, he's slashing .233/.298/.402 with 13 home runs, 58 RBI, 37 runs scored and one steal across 359 plate appearances.

Lowe went 3-for-6 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 15-9 win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Lowe had RBI doubles in the fifth and eighth innings. The first baseman has four multi-hit efforts over his last 10 games, going 11-for-42 (.262) in that span, which also includes four hitless games. He's been more in touch with his power and run production during this stretch, logging four home runs, three doubles and 10 RBI. Lowe is up to a .232/.295/.402 slash line with 13 homers, 54 RBI, 35 runs scored, 14 doubles and one stolen base through 82 games this season.

Lowe went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a sacrifice fly during Sunday's 13-7 loss to the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Lowe has been crushing the baseball lately, clubbing four homers in his last six games, including Sunday's three-run shot off Ben Casparius. The first baseman is 16-for-71 (.225) with 12 RBI and eight runs scored over 20 games in June. He's got a .699 OPS on the year.

Lowe went 2-for-5 with two solo home runs Saturday in a 7-3 win over the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Lowe homered to left field in the sixth inning and added a second shot to center field in the eighth. This was the first time on the campaign that the first baseman has gone deep multiple times, and Lowe recorded just his second multi-hit effort across his past 12 contests. He's up to 12 home runs and 47 RBI this season, though he's still slashing a modest .227/.295/.395 through 319 plate appearances.