Cast off by the Texas Rangers, who wanted to get some of their young players in the mix, Asdrúbal Cabrera has found a home with the Washington Nationals, and he’s starting for Davey Martinez on a regular basis because he’s been hitting and providing a boost for an offense that has been hot and cold in the last couple weeks.
Cabrera has contributed to the cause, going 7 for 18 (.438/.471/.813) with a double, triple, and home run on the trip to Atlanta and Minnesota, and putting up a .345/.417/.607 line in 24 games and 96 plate appearances since he first joined Washington’s roster back on the 6th of August.
“I’ve been feeling really good at the plate,” Cabrera told reporters after going 2 for 5 with a triple and two RBIs in his fourth start on the seven-game road trip last night.
“I just enjoy the opportunity I get to be on the field and help the team and have fun,” he added in discussing all the starts he’s received.
His manager keeps penciling him into the Nationals’ lineup, and he will continue to, while handling the 33-year-old infielder carefully.
“He’s going to play a lot,” Martinez said after the Nats’ 12-6 win over the Twins, “... but here’s another guy that we have to make sure we take care of his legs. I want to keep him fresh, so but he’s going to play. He’s swinging the bat really well. I’m glad he’s a National again and I love him. He comes every day and he plays hard every day no matter where I put him, he gives you great at bats and he’s a clutch hitter.”
Taking 2 of 3 in Target Field was a nice way to bounce back after the Nationals dropped 3 of 4 in Atlanta’s SunTrust Park, and now they are back in D.C. to take on the Braves again in the final regular season series with the NL East’s first place team.
“It’s always a good feeling when you win a series,” Cabrera said after the finale with the Twins.
“We started that series in Atlanta, we lost the first three games over there, but I mean we got the team to come back, we did it, and now we go home.”
Cabrera is back in at second for tonight’s series opener with the Braves...
HERE’S THE NATIONALS’ LINEUP FOR THE 1ST OF 3 WITH THE BRAVES:
GUESS. WHAT. DAY. I—
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 13, 2019
IT’S #SCHERZDAY.
(Sorry, we’re excited).#STAYINTHEFIGHT // #OnePursuit pic.twitter.com/uNuAh9mzQM