Castro took part in his first workouts of summer camp Thursday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran infielder was held back after flying in from his home in the Dominican Republic, but after clearing the league's protocols Castro got right to work. The delay doesn't appear to have slowed him down. "It was good to see Starlin," Nats manager Dave Martinez said. "It looks like he did a lot of stuff during the off time, and he's ready to go. He looked good today, so it's good to have him back." Castro is expected to man second base and hit in the heart of the team's order this season.

Manager Dave Martinez indicated Wednesday that Castro is the most likely candidate to open the season as the Nationals' No. 3 hitter, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Early in spring training, Martinez was open to Trea Turner potentially filling the opening in the three hole that was created by Anthony Rendon bolting for the Angels this winter, but the skipper prefers to keep the tandem of Turner and Adam Eaton intact atop the order. As a result, Castro has seemingly emerged as the top option to bat third, and if that arrangement holds for the balance of the season, it would likely provide a significant boost to his fantasy outlook. After amassing only 154 combined runs and RBI across nearly 700 plate appearances as the centerpiece of a lowly Marlins lineup in 2019, Castro would have a good opportunity to blow past that total while batting behind two speedy, high-on-base hitters and in front of one of the game's premier power hitters in Juan Soto.

Castro could find himself hitting third for the Nationals this season, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The team still isn't sure how it will replace Anthony Rendon in the heart of the order, and while Trea Turner's name has been floated, moving him down in the order would cut into his ability to use his speed on the basepaths and would also require someone like Victor Robles stepping up as a viable table-setting option. If manager Dave Martinez elects to keep Turner at leadoff, Castro could be the next-best candidate to hit third, especially if he can come close to repeating the .302/.334/.588 line he posted in the second half last season. If the 29-year-old infielder does find a home in the No. 3 hole, he could top his career-high 78 RBI hitting after Turner and Adam Eaton, and with Juan Soto looming behind him.

Castro signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Nationals on Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Castro may be seen as something of a boring player at this point in his career, as he never reached the next level after some promising seasons in his early 20s, but there will always be a place in the league for a middle infielder with a league-average bat. Castro hit a career-high 22 homers with a .270/.300/.436 slash line (91 wRC+) for the Marlins last season while playing in all 162 games. The 10-year veteran is still just 29 years old and owns a respectable 97 wRC+. He's expected to be the Nationals' primary second baseman this season.

Castro's $16 million club option was not picked up by the Marlins, making him a free agent, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old will hit free agency after hitting .270/.300/.436 with a career-high 86 RBI last season. While Castro doesn't have elite power numbers, he still managed to hit a career-high 22 home runs last season and could get more RBI opportunities if he lands with a more potent offense in 2020.

Castro went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in a 4-3 victory against the Phillies on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old ended his 10th MLB season with a strong September, hitting .291 with seven home runs, 15 RBI and 22 runs. His OPS during the month was more than .950 too, and thanks to the homer surge in September, Castro set a new career best with 22 long balls this season. He also finished the season batting .270 with 86 RBI, 68 runs and two steals in 636 at-bats.

Castro went 3-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old's remarkable rampage to close out the season continues. Castro is slashing .317/.375/.693 over the last 27 games with 10 long balls and 20 RBI, and the power surge has allowed him to tie his career high with 21 homers, set in 2016 with the Yankees. He's also established a new personal best with 80 RBI.

Castro went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a pair of doubles and another run scored in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Castro led off the second inning with his 20th homer of the season, this time a 401-foot solo shot off Mike Leake to tie the game at 1-1. He also doubled in the third, then doubled and scored in the eighth, bringing the Marlins within one, but that was the closest they'd get. On the season, Castro is slashing .268/.298/.424.

Castro went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk, two RBI and three runs Sunday in the Marlins' 9-0 win over the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Castro's 59 wRC+ prior to the All-Star break placed him last among all 156 qualified hitters, effectively eliminating any trade value he might have had prior to the July 31 deadline. A second-half bounce back was anticipated to some degree, but Castro has far surpassed even his most optimistic backers. After another multi-hit day, Castro is slashing .314/.339/.567 in the second half, with his 133 wRC+ placing him in the 70th percentile of qualified hitters.

Castro went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI on Friday against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Castro drove home a run in the seventh inning on a single to center, and he finished his night with a two-run blast over the fence in center. The 29-year-old infielder is slashing .266/.288/.402 with 15 homers and 71 RBI over 134 games in 2019.