Nationals Lose James Wood to Oblique Strain Amid Brutal Losing Streak

The Washington Nationals are currently experiencing the baseball equivalent of stepping on a rake, and the handle just hit them squarely in the jaw. Outfielder James Wood is officially heading to the injured list with an oblique strain.

MLB Trade Rumors relayed the news on Tuesday, confirming Washington will be without their towering young slugger for the foreseeable future. Oblique strains are the absolute worst kind of baseball injury. They sound like a minor inconvenience but usually end up lingering longer than a bad houseguest.

"MLB Trade Rumors reported the IL placement on Tuesday."

This roster move drops at the exact moment the Nationals' season is in a complete freefall. Washington has lost six straight games, including a brutal four-game sweep at the hands of the Atlanta Braves where they were outscored 23-11.

Losing a cornerstone piece like Wood right now is brutal for team morale. When you are already struggling to generate offense and dropping series to the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies, subtracting one of your most physically gifted hitters from the lineup is a recipe for a very long August.

For anyone looking at the Nationals' runline, this is a massive red flag. Wood changes the geometry of a lineup. Without his bat providing protection, opposing pitchers can just coast through the middle of the order without breaking a sweat.

Washington has to figure out how to stop the bleeding tonight in their second game against the Phillies. As for Wood, oblique injuries are notoriously stubborn. Do not expect him back until he can swing a bat without feeling like his ribcage is tearing in half.