Guardians vs Nationals Injury Report MLB 2025: The Cleveland Guardians and Washington Nationals are set to face off on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 3:35 PM EDT at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. This matchup comes amid significant injury challenges for both teams, affecting their lineups and pitching rotations.
The Guardians are dealing with recent injuries, including outfielder Lane Thomas, who has started taking swings and is trending towards game activity soon. Meanwhile, the Nationals are managing injuries to key players such as Josh Bell, who is probable for May 6 after missing several games with groin tightness. As both teams navigate these challenges, depth and adaptability will be crucial in this midseason matchup.

| Player | Injury | IL Date | Expected Return | Status | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Bell | Right groin tightness | — | Day to day | Experienced discomfort running bases on May 2; held out third straight day. | May 5 |
| Michael Soroka | Right biceps strain | Apr 4 (retro Apr 1) (15-day) | May | Struck out 11 in rehab on May 2; bullpen session in D.C. on May 5. | May 5 |
| Derek Law | Right forearm inflammation | Mar 26 (retro Mar 24) | May | Threw from 60 feet on May 2 and May 5; continuing throwing progression. | May 5 |
| Cade Cavalli | Tommy John rehab | Mar 26 (retro Mar 24) | Second half 2025 | Removed from rehab start Apr 29 due to arm fatigue; throwing bullpens. | May 5 |
| Travis Sykora | Labrum surgery (hip) | — | May | 6 strikeouts in 2 innings during rehab appearance on May 3. | May 3 |
| Paul DeJong | Fractured nose | Apr 16 (10-day IL) | Around All-Star break | Surgery after HBP on Apr 15; no baseball activities until late May/early June. | Apr 29 |
| Andrés Chaparro | Left oblique strain | Mar 26 (retro Mar 24) | May | Injured during batting practice Mar 14; continuing rehab. | Apr 19 |
| Orlando Ribalta | Right biceps strain | Apr 13 (retro Apr 10) | May | Strengthening at home; not yet throwing. | Apr 19 |
| DJ Herz | Left UCL sprain | Mar 26 (60-day IL) | 2026 | Underwent Tommy John surgery on Apr 16. | Apr 19 |
| Mason Thompson | Tommy John surgery | Feb 19 (60-day IL) | Second half 2025 | Second TJ surgery (Mar 1); rehabbing at Nats complex. | Mar 26 |
| Josiah Gray | Elbow/forearm strain | Feb 16 (60-day IL) | Second half 2025 | Underwent TJ surgery + internal brace on Jul 24, 2024; rehabbing. | Mar 26 |
| Player | Injury | IL Date | Expected Return | Status | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lane Thomas | Right wrist bone bruise | Apr 22 (retro Apr 20) | Mid-to-late May | Started swing progression; nearing game activity. | May 5 |
| Paul Sewald | Right posterior deltoid strain | Apr 29 (15-day IL) | TBD | High-grade strain; rechecked biweekly for throwing readiness. | May 5 |
| Shane Bieber | Right UCL tear | Mar 27 (retro Mar 24) | Midseason 2025 | Live BP on May 2; still a way from game action. | May 3 |
| Trevor Stephan | Right UCL reconstruction | Mar 27 (retro Mar 24) | 2025 | Threw live BP May 2; another session next. | May 3 |
| Slade Cecconi | Left oblique strain | Mar 27 (retro Mar 24) | May | Rehab start Apr 30: 3.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 K. | Apr 30 |
| David Fry | Right UCL revision | Feb 19 (60-day IL) | Summer 2025 | Set to start game progression in May at AZ complex. | Apr 30 |
| Andrew Walters | Right elbow inflammation | Apr 22 (7-day IL) | TBD | Progressing in return-to-throw program; targeting 10–14 day return. | Apr 30 |
| Chase DeLauter | Core muscle surgery | — | Late May/Early June | Returned to full baseball activity; game activity soon. | Apr 30 |
| John Means | Left elbow UCL surgery recovery | Apr 9 (60-day IL) | Late 2025 | Throwing at 120 feet; bullpen progression in mid-May. | Apr 30 |
| Erik Sabrowski | Left elbow inflammation | Mar 27 (retro Mar 24) | May | Resumed throwing after break; mound activity resumes week of May 5. | Apr 30 |
| George Valera | Right patellar tendon repair | Mar 28 (MiLB IL) | Early 2025 | Defensive/running work ongoing; game progression mid-May. | Apr 30 |
| Sam Hentges | Left shoulder surgery | Feb 16 (60-day IL) | 2026 | Recovering from anterior capsule repair; on schedule. | Apr 30 |
| Juan Brito | Right thumb sprain | Apr 24 (7-day IL) | 8–12 weeks | Surgery on Apr 25; rehab in Goodyear, AZ underway. | Apr 26 |
| Angel Genao | Right shoulder sprain | — | June | Shoulder strengthening and mobility work ongoing. | Apr 1 |
| Date | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 2, 2024 | Washington Nationals | 5–2 |
| Jun 2, 2024 | Cleveland Guardians | 3–2 |
| Jun 1, 2024 | Cleveland Guardians | 7–1 |
| Apr 16, 2023 | Washington Nationals | 7–6 |
| Apr 16, 2023 | Cleveland Guardians | 6–4 |
In their last five meetings, the Guardians have secured three victories against the Nationals, indicating a competitive edge in the series. The Nationals managed to clinch two wins.
To catch the Guardians vs Nationals game live:
With both teams battling for dominance in their divisions, this matchup holds substantial weight. The Guardians\' standout players continue to impress, while the Nationals will rely on their depth to challenge Cleveland. Expect a competitive game on Tuesday afternoon at Nationals Park.