Nationals All-Star lefty's season in doubt with recent placement on Injured List

"All-Star southpaw MacKenzie Gore was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday afternoon, retroactive to Wednesday, the day after his most recent start, with left shoulder inflammation. Gore's tone when speaking to the media about the roster transaction implied that the move was more precautionary, citing traditional September fatigue and a lack of proper recovery following his last start. Gore also seemed to be optimistic about the timeframe for his return, "planning on being ready to go" after the 15-day mandatory IL period."

"It's still sobering news for the Nationals on the heels of their third seven-game losing streak of the 2025 campaign (extending their fourth six-plus-game losing streak) to be going without their ace for at least a couple of weeks. Granted, it's been tough to consider Gore much of an ace out of the All-Star break. In eight starts since returning home from Atlanta, MacKenzie has pitched to an ERA of 7.54 and has averaged just 4.2 innings per start."

"The second-half woes are not novel to MacKenzie Gore. Gore's 4.95 career second-half ERA and .351 wOBA against are far cries from his 3.87 ERA and .317 wOBA career first-half marks. The hope was present this year, after a stellar first half that saw him begin the season with 14 consecutive starts of more than one strikeout per inning, that 2025 would finally be the season MacKenzie broke through the barrier and carried that level of reliability into the second half."

MacKenzie Gore was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to Wednesday with left shoulder inflammation. The move was described as precautionary, citing September fatigue and insufficient recovery after his last start. Gore said he is "planning on being ready to go" after the mandatory IL period. Gore has struggled since the All-Star break, posting a 7.54 ERA in eight starts and averaging 4.2 innings, with outings sometimes ending before recording ten outs and allowing multiple home runs. His career second-half numbers (4.95 ERA, .351 wOBA against) contrast with stronger first-half marks (3.87 ERA, .317 wOBA). Recent poor performances, including 15 runs in under 13 innings before July 31, likely hurt trade interest.

Read at District on Deck