This top Washington Nationals prospect missed the start of spring with an injury, but his performance with the bat so far proves why he is a consensus breakout pick.

The Washington Nationals have endured a lot of losing on the field since winning the World Series in 2019. A rebuild has been ongoing, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel growing near as the team has made the most of being able to add quality young talent to the roster as a result of high draft picks and trades.

Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood (quad) is returning to left field on Wednesday afternoon. Wood has only been able to serve as a designated hitter during the early part of spring training due to tendinitis in his quad.

The Washington Nationals know how they’re going to get their star left fielder back on the field this week in spring training.

Seeing his first action of the spring in left field after serving as the DH in his first two appearances while dealing with a quad issue, Wood belted a Valente Bellozo pitch out to left-center field in the fourth inning.

Burgeoning star James Wood said his first Grapefruit League appearance of the spring “felt good,” and Nationals manager Dave Martinez thought Wood looked good on Friday during Washington's 7-0 loss to the New York Mets.

Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood (quadriceps) will serve as the designated hitter in his Grapefruit League debut on Friday versus the division-rival New York Mets, according to manager Dave Martinez.

Finally, James Wood could approach a Spring Training game without considering any restrictions. After being hampered by left quad tendinitis at the start of camp, Wood was cleared to play both sides of the field for the first time on Wednesday afternoon.

The Washington Nationals are set to play their sixth game of the 2025 spring training on Friday afternoon against their National League East rivals, the New Yor

Outlook: Originally coming to the Nationals from the Padres as a key piece in the Juan Soto trade, Wood is a 6-foot-7 behemoth with plus-speed and elite power who rarely chases pitches out of the strike zone.

With some great young players like James Wood, Dylan Crews and C.J. Abrams the Washington Nationals are on their way back

Excitement and optimism are both on the rise for the Washington Nationals ... One player who falls into the latter is left fielder James Wood. Acquired as part of the Juan Soto blockbuster ...