Jake Alu - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Retires from baseball Alu retired from professional baseball Thursday.

Impact Alu exceeded expectations as a 24th-round pick in reaching the majors in 2023, but he had just a .571 OPS during his stint with the Nationals that year and put up a .670 OPS at Triple-A Rochester in 2024. The 27-year-old will now move on to the next phase of his life.

JANUARY 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Sunday Alu is out of the lineup for Sunday's game versus Atlanta, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Alu started the last seven games but will end the season on the bench for Washington. The 26-year-old struggled to a .226/.282/.289 slash line with two homers, five steals and 16 RBI in the first 50 games of this big-league career this season.

OCTOBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Slugs second homer Alu went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 10-6 win over Atlanta.

Impact The 26-year-old has been holding down a near-everyday role since the beginning of August, but despite playing regularly, he hasn't offered much fantasy utility outside of very deep mixed leagues or NL-only leagues. His home run Friday was just his second of the season, and Alu's contributions in other categories (.231 average, 16 RBI, 14 runs and five stolen bases in 49 games) haven't been enough to compensate for the lack of power.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against lefty Alu isn't in the Nationals' lineup Thursday against Atlanta, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact With lefty starter Max Fried on the bump for Atlanta, Alu will take a seat for the beginning of Thursday's contest. His absence will allow Alex Call to start in right field while batting eighth.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Tuesday Alu is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the White Sox.

Impact Blake Rutherford, Jacob Young and Lane Thomas will start across the outfield for the Nationals as Luis Garcia covers second base. Alu, 26, has batted just .221/.262/.250 across his first 42 major-league games (146 plate appearances) this season with Washington.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench, could lose playing time Alu is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Alu will hit the bench after he had started each of the Nationals' last 14 games at second base or in left field, slashing .216/.273/.216 over that stretch. Given his lack of productivity, Alu could fade into more a utility role moving forward with September call-ups Luis Garcia and Travis Blankenhorn having seemingly emerged as the Nationals' preferred option at second base and in left field, respectively.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against southpaw Alu isn't in the Nationals' lineup Friday against the Marlins, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Southpaw Braxton Garrett will begin Friday's contest on the mound for Miami, meaning the left-handed bat of Alu will stay put in the dugout. Ildemaro Vargas will start in left field while Alu sits, and Michael Chavis will get the nod at second base.

AUGUST 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench versus lefty Alu is absent from the lineup Tuesday versus the Yankees.

Impact Ildemaro Vargas is covering second base and Carter Kieboom is at third as the Nationals go with a right-heavy attack against left-hander Carlos Rodon. Alu has batted just .233/.266/.300 through his first 64 major-league plate appearances.

AUGUST 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting against lefty Alu isn't in the Nationals' lineup Saturday against Philadelphia, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact With left-hander Cristopher Sanchez starting on the bump for the Phillies, the lefty-hitting Alu will retreat to the dugout to begin Saturday's action. Michael Chavis will fill in at the keystone and bat eighth.

AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against lefty Alu is out of the lineup again Thursday against the Red Sox.

Impact Michael Chavis will start at second base and bat sixth as the Nationals take on another left-hander in Chris Sale. Alu has slashed just .235/.273/.314 across his first 55 major-league plate appearances and will probably continue to sit versus southpaws.

AUGUST 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Wednesday Alu is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Though Alu is a right-handed hitter, the Nationals have been treating him as a strong-side platoon infielder. He'll sit for the Nationals' second straight matchup with a left-hander, giving way to Michael Chavis at second base while southpaw James Paxton takes the hill for Boston.

AUGUST 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out against lefty Alu is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Athletics.

Impact The Nationals face lefty Ken Waldichuk on Sunday, so Alu will not start. He has appeared in the last seven games, but the last one he did not appear in was also against a lefty. The third baseman has platooned against righties, having just one start against lefties.

AUGUST 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mashes first career homer Alu went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Friday's 8-2 win over the A's.

Impact After bringing home what proved to be the winning run in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly, Alu socked his first career big-league homer in the eighth, a solo shot off Sam Long. Alu has started four straight games at second base for the Nats, but his production at the plate remains inconsistent -- since rejoining the big club at the beginning of August the 26-year-old is batting .233 (7-for-30) with a 1:13 BB:K.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Alu's return to Citizens Bank Park a full-circle moment for rookie PHILADELPHIA -- The 50-mile drive from Princeton, N.J., to Philadelphia was the highlight of Jake Alu’s day. Most times, the trip was Alu an...

AUGUST 11, 2023 • MLB.COM

Sitting Game 2 Alu isn't in the Nationals' lineup for Tuesday's nightcap against Philadelphia, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Alu went 1-for-4 and struck out twice during Game 1, and he'll take a seat to begin the second game. Michael Chavis will take Alu's place at second base and bat eighth.

AUGUST 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Monday Alu is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact The trade of Jeimer Candelario and the demotion of Luis Garcia to Triple-A Rochester last week have opened up two spots in the Washington infield, and Alu seems to have a hold on one of those everyday roles. He started in four of the previous five games, going 5-for-14 with a double, five RBI, two runs and two stolen bases. He'll cede his spot to Michael Chavis on Monday, but look for Alu to get the bulk of the starts at the keystone while he's wielding a hot bat.

AUGUST 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On base three times Sunday Alu went 2-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's win over the Reds.

Impact The 26-year-old has started four of five games since his latest promotion -- two at third base and two at second -- and gone 5-for-14 with a double, two runs, five RBI and two steals. The starting jobs at both infield spots are up for grabs on the rebuilding Nats, so if Alu keeps producing, it could only be a matter of the coaching staff deciding where it likes him better defensively before he settles into an everyday role. He would seem to have little left to prove in the minors -- through 133 games at Triple-A Rochester the last two years, he's slashed .308/.365/.481 with 16 homers and 22 steals.

AUGUST 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Productive in Tuesday's start Alu went 1-for-3 with a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base in Tuesday's loss to the Brewers.

Impact Getting the start at third base and batting eighth, Alu scored his first career run and picked up his first career RBI in his sixth big-league game. With Jeimer Candelario now a Cub, the door is open for Alu to get a long look at the hot corner, but if the 26-year-old isn't consistently productive, the Nats could turn to another option such as Carter Kieboom (oblique) or even top prospect Brady House, who has a .302/.364/.496 slash line across three levels of the minors this season.

AUGUST 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets first MLB start Alu is starting at third base and batting eighth Tuesday against the Brewers.

Impact This will be the first career major-league start for Alu, who was called up Monday after the Nationals traded Jeimer Candelario to the Cubs. Alu was slashing .298/.360/.428 with five homers and 16 steals through 74 games this year at Triple-A Rochester and has a chance to impress over the final two months of the 2023 major-league campaign.

AUGUST 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back with Nats The Nationals recalled Alu from Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Impact After the Nationals traded Jeimer Candelario to the Cubs on Monday, they will bring up Alu to fill the active roster. Alu is just 3-for-14 with a stolen base across five games in the majors this season, but his defensive versatility could buy him more opportunities in Washington's lineup.

JULY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Joins Nats as 27th man The Nationals promoted Alu to serve as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Alu is slashing .311/.372/.453 with 39 RBI through 287 plate appearances in Triple-A Rochester. He has appeared in four games for Washington this season and figures to return to Triple-A following Saturday's nightcap.

JULY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heading back to Rochester Alu was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Alu will head back to Triple-A after he was called up to replace Joey Meneses (paternity) on the active roster Wednesday. Alu went 2-for-4 in Thursday's loss to the Marlins and has now gone 3-for-13 in limited action in the majors this season. With Meneses back Friday, Alu was the odd man out and will have to wait for his next opportunity with the big-league club.

MAY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Triple-A Alu was recalled from Triple-A Rochester by the Nationals on Wednesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Alu was just optioned Monday but is back to replace Joey Meneses (paternity) on the roster. He figures to be sent back down later this week when Meneses returns.

MAY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent back to Triple-A The Nationals optioned Alu to Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact After being called up from Rochester last Monday, Alu received three starts in left field during a five-game stretch, going a collective 1-for-9 with a walk and a stolen base. However, with lefty-hitting Corey Dickerson (calf) returning from the 10-day injured list Monday and presumably in line to reclaim a strong-side platoon role in left field, the Nationals won't have regular playing time available for Alu and will send him back to Triple-A as a result. The righty-hitting Stone Garrett remains with the Nationals and should serve as Dickerson's primary platoon mate.

MAY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Getting steady work versus righties Alu will start in left field and bat fifth in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Mets, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Alu will start for the third time in the past five games, with all coming against right-handed pitchers. Even though he bats from the right side, Alu has ceded the last two starts against southpaws to fellow right-handed hitter Stone Garrett, so the two players could end up forming a non-traditional platoon in left field. Since his call-up from Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Alu has gone 1-for-7 with a walk and a stolen base.

MAY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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