Injury questions hang over Nationals stars Max Scherzer, Bryce Harper

As the 2017 fantasy baseball season approaches, we take a look at the biggest news and story lines from each club. We'll feature one team each weekday ... and we'll finish up as teams are finally getting their full squads on the field for spring training.

2017 fantasy baseball team previews

The Washington Nationals see their window for winning a championship wide open -- and their win-now mentality was apparent in their approach to the offseason. While they could have done a few more things to strengthen their bench and bullpen, the Nats did make a major move to acquire a veteran outfielder -- but it cost them three of their best pitching prospects. Will it be enough to get them over the hump and help them win their first playoff series? And the biggest question of all: Can they stay healthy?

Team report: Nationals hope to ride star power to October

2016 at a glance

MLB SALARIES: Baseball's top 25 highest-paid players in 2024

Record: 95-67 (1st in NL East)

Hitting: 8th (4.71 R/G)

Pitching: 2nd (3.51 ERA)

Arrivals

OF Adam Eaton

C Derek Norris

1B Adam Lind

The Nationals didn't have a true center fielder last season, even putting top prospect Trea Turner out there. Eaton fills perhaps the team's biggest need -- and gives them another table-setter with Turner at the top of the order. He's scored at least 90 runs in each of the past two seasons. 

Norris fills the void left by All-Star Wilson Ramos, but he's coming off a career-worst .186/.255/.328 performance last year in San Diego. 

Lind has hit right-handed pitchers exceptionally well throughout his MLB career. He slugged 19 homers off them last season, but hit just .239.

Players to watch

SP Max Scherzer

OF Bryce Harper 

2B/OF Trea Turner

The fate of the Nationals is largely tied to their two bona fide superstars, Scherzer and Harper. But both come into spring training under a cloud of uncertainty. Scherzer developed a stress fracture in the knuckle of his right ring finger and is questionable for opening day. The 2016 NL Cy Young Award winner has been good for 220+ innings and 250+ strikeouts in each of the past three seasons. At this point, there's no cause for alarm, though the injury could be enough to knock him out of the first round in mixed league drafts.

Nationals' Max Scherzer's knuckle injury raises concerns

Harper had a disappointing follow-up to his 2015 MVP season, hitting just .243 (but with a .373 OBP) and slugging 24 home runs. He missed some time with neck and shoulder problems, but never went on the disabled list. 

Bryce Harper knows 'exactly why' 2016 was a down year – but he's not sharing

Turner moves back to his natural position this season, adding shortstop eligibility to second base and the outfield, where he qualifies on draft day. But even more than his versatility, Turner is a huge fantasy asset because of his speed. He stole 33 bases in 73 games after being promoted from the minors. 

Expectations high for Nationals prospect Trea Turner

Sleepers

3B Anthony Rendon

SP Stephen Strasburg

After a down 2015, Rendon rebounded with a solid (and healthy) season. At age 26, he should continue to leverage his excellent contact skills to be a fantasy asset. He's not in the top tier of third basemen, but he's a nice consolation prize for those drafters who get shut out early.

Like Rendon, Strasburg doesn't really qualify as a sleeper either. But these Nationals are extremely top-heavy in their talent distribution. Strasburg gets dinged a bit for his inability to stay healthy for a full season -- he made only one start after Aug. 17 due to an elbow injury -- but when he is healthy, he's one of the best pitchers in the game. 

Bullpen

Closer: Shawn Kelley

Next: Blake Treinen

The Nats made a run at free agent closer Kenley Jansen in the offseason -- and even offered more him more money than he accepted to return to the Dodgers. They also made an effort to re-sign Mark Melancon and have explored trade talks with the White Sox for veteran David Robertson as manager Dusty Baker seems to prefer veteran closers with experience.

Though he's never been a "proven closer," Kelley's career stats suggest he could be quite effective in the role. He posted a 2.64 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 58 innings last season (at age 32), averaging 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings. (And 1.7 walks per nine!) 

Treinen throws hard and gets a ton of ground balls, but his control (4.2 BB/9) can be an issue. 

Position battles

Lind could provide a suitable platoon partner at first base for Ryan Zimmerman, who also has an extensive injury history. Expect the longest-tenured National to get most of the playing time, however. 

The closer situation could get even trickier if Kelley and/or Treinen falter. Hard-throwing prospect Koda Glover, 23, and non-roster invitee Joe Nathan, 42, could even get a shot. 

Prospects

OF Victor Robles

SP Erick Fedde

The Eaton trade took a big chunk out of the Nationals farm system. But they still have Robles, 19, who created quite a stir in the lower levels of the minors. He stole a total of 37 bases last season as he advanced to High-A Potomac and his frame suggests he can hit for more power as he matures. 

Fedde takes over the title of top pitching prospect. Coming back from Tommy John surgery, he finished last season with a total of 121 innings, including five starts at Class AA Harrisburg, where he'll likely return to start 2017. A late-season call-up to Washington is possible for the 2014 first-rounder.

Projected batting order

1. CF Adam Eaton

2. SS Trea Turner

3. 2B Daniel Murphy

4. RF Bryce Harper

5. 3B Anthony Rendon

6. LF Jayson Werth

7. 1B Ryan Zimmerman

8. C Derek Norris

Projected rotation

1. RHP Max Scherzer

2. RHP Stephen Strasburg

3. RHP Tanner Roark

4. LHP Gio Gonzalez

5. RHP Joe Ross