Bautista (knee) went 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in short-season Auburn's win over Williamsport on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The outfielder is still rehabbing after suffering a torn ACL, LCL and meniscus last season at Triple-A Syracuse. "Every morning (Doubledays manager Rocket Wheeler) comes to me and tells me what I have to do -- trying to get in the field and feeling good," Bautista told MiLB.com. "Asking me how I feel because of my injury. It feels great, I've been feeling really, really good after my injury." The hits Wednesday were just his third, fourth and fifth in nine games with Auburn (34 at-bats). It may be a little while yet before he's back with the team's top affiliate.

Bautista (knee) will open the season on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Fresno, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bautista was sidelined throughout spring training while recovering from a torn ACL, so his move to Fresno's injured list comes as little surprise. The 26-year-old was removed from the Nationals' 40-man roster last season and doesn't look to be a part of the organization's long-term plans in the outfield.

Bautista (knee) signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Wednesday, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bautista linked back up with the Nationals after being released by Washington over the weekend. He's expected to miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. Prior to suffering the injury, the 25-year-old compiled a solid .366/.395/.463 line across 20 games with Triple-A Syracuse.

Bautista (knee) was released by Washington on Saturday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Bautista out for the remainder of the 2018 season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the Nationals decided he was expendable, especially considering he was taking up a spot on the 40-man roster. In a corresponding move, Adam Eaton was reinstated from the 60-day DL (ankle) and Wander Suero was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.

Bautista will miss the remainder of the 2018 season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament, lateral collateral ligament and meniscus during Thursday's game with Triple-A Syracuse, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bautista will undergo the season-ending surgery Wednesday. Since the recovery timetable for these sort of knee injuries can vary slightly, there's a chance Bautista will not be ready for spring training in 2019, though a timetable should come into focus following next week's procedure. Through 20 games with Syracuse this year, Bautista was hitting .366/.395/.463.

Bautista was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bautista will head back to the minors in order to open up a roster spot for reliever Shawn Kelley, who was activated from the disabled list in a corresponding move. The 25-year-old appeared in nine games during his time with the big club, though he logged just six at-bats and didn't record a hit. Bautista, who is hitting .429/.442/.524 with three stolen bases through 10 games with Syracuse, will continue to serve as organizational outfield depth.

Bautista was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old is off to a hot start with the Chiefs, going 18-for-42 (.429) with three stolen bases in 10 games. Bautista will head to the big leagues to provide a spark in the outfield while Adam Eaton (ankle) and Brian Goodwin (wrist) are sidelined. No corresponding move has been announced yet.

The Nationals optioned Bautista to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bautista went through his share of offensive struggles in 2017, with a .250 batting average and .603 OPS at Triple-A Syracuse and a .160 average and .382 OPS over 17 games (25 at-bats) with the Nationals. The 24-year-old could certainly earn another opportunity in the majors in 2018 but he will start the season in the minor leagues.

Bautista was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bautista is back with the big club after finishing up his season with Triple-A Syracuse, slashing .250/.290/.313 in 43 games for the Chiefs. He spent some brief time with the Nationals earlier in the season, but appeared in just six games, going 3-for-12 (.250). He'll occupy a bench role while the Nationals close out the regular season.

Bautista was optioned to Triple-A on Monday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

A roster spot was needed for Monday's starter, Max Scherzer, and Bautista was the corresponding roster casualty. The 24-year-old appeared in just one game for the Nationals, going 2-for-4 with a run scored in Sunday's loss to the Mets. While he could return to the big club after rosters expand in September, he likely won't see any playing time given Washington's surplus of options in the outfield.