Nationals’ Joey Wiemer grounds out with chance at immortality

On his 11th trip to the plate in 2026, Washington Nationals outfielder Joey Wiemer had a shot at immortality Monday at Citizens Bank Park.  

Not bad for a player who was designated for assignment last offseason.  

In Wiemer’s first 10 at-bats with his new club, the unsung prospect reached base safely, matching a 75-year mark established by Carlos Delgado in 2002.  

When Wiemer stepped up in the fifth inning, with the Nationals leading the Philadelphia Phillies, 7-0, starter Taijuan Walker stayed away from the fastball and threw a 77-mph slider, an 88-mph sinker, an 80-mph slider, a 90-mph sinker and a 73-mph curve. Wiemer grounded back to the pitcher for the first out of the frame.  

Wiemer settled for shared perpetuity.  

Unsung Joey Wiemer creating MLB reputation  

Wiemer entered Monday’s 13-2 win over the slow-starting Phillies as a perfect No. 9 hitter. He reached base in all eight plate appearances during the season-opening series at the Chicago Cubs. He produced six hits and two walks.  

That effort tied an expansion-era record for reaching base the most consecutive times while competing for a new club. He already notched a franchise record for connecting on a home run in the opening two games of a campaign.  

Not bad for a player who didn’t appear to have a place in the future of the rebuilding Miami Marlins, who waived the 27-year-old after he appeared in 27 games last season.  

Wiemer finished 2-for-4 Monday with two runs scored and a base on balls as th Nationals improved to 3-1, while the Phillies dropped to 1-3 during their season-opening, six-game homestand.