Nationals Reassign Top Prospect Yohandy Morales

First base picture becoming clearer for Washington as they trim roster ahead of Opening Day

Mar. 14, 2026 at 6:51pm

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The Washington Nationals have reassigned top prospect Yohandy Morales to minor league camp, further clarifying their plans at first base. With other top first base candidates like Warming Bernabel and Matt Mervis also being sent down, it appears the Nationals are leaning towards Luis Garcia Jr. and Andres Chaparro as their primary options at the position to start the season.

Why it matters

The Nationals have had uncertainty at first base this offseason, with no clear starter emerging. The reassignment of Morales, a highly-touted prospect, indicates the team has a more defined plan in place, likely centered around Garcia and Chaparro.

The details

The Nationals have made a series of roster moves in recent days, optioning or reassigning several players competing for the first base job. In addition to Morales, the team has also sent down Warming Bernabel and Matt Mervis, two other offseason additions expected to vie for playing time at first. This leaves Garcia, who has been getting reps at the position, and Chaparro, the lone true first baseman on the 40-man roster, as the top candidates to start the season at first base for Washington.

  • On March 14, 2026, the Nationals announced they had reassigned top prospect Yohandy Morales to minor league camp.

The players

Yohandy Morales

A top 30 prospect in the Nationals' system who was seen as a potential dark horse to earn a role at first base this spring.

Luis Garcia Jr.

A Nationals infielder who has been getting reps at first base and is expected to split time between there and second base.

Andres Chaparro

The lone true first baseman currently on the Nationals' 40-man roster.

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What’s next

The Nationals will continue to evaluate their options at first base in the final weeks of spring training before making a decision on their Opening Day starter.

The takeaway

The Nationals' moves indicate they have a clearer plan at first base, with Garcia and Chaparro emerging as the top candidates. While Morales was seen as a potential option, his struggles this spring have led the team to send him back to the minors as they finalize their roster.