Riley Adams has received more playing time in recent weeks than at any point in the last year-plus, certainly more than he ever does when Keibert Ruiz is healthy. Each of the Nationals’ catchers has started six games so far in June, a stark contrast from the previous stretch that saw Ruiz behind the plate in 14 of 16 games.

The idea was to get Adams into some kind of rhythm at the plate. The results, though, have been anything but.

Adams currently finds himself in an 0-for-30 slump, reaching base only once (via his only walk of the season), striking out 13 times. His batting average is down to .091 (5-for-55), his OPS down to .325, lowest among all National League players with at least 50 plate appearances.

Manager Davey Martinez said the 28-year-old hasn’t been able to keep his bat in the hitting zone long enough, his hips opening too soon as the bat lags behind. And as the 0-fers have continued, the pressure has only mounted to try to snap out of it, compounding the problem.

“He’s trying too hard to do well. So is everybody else,” Martinez said, referencing the team’s current offensive struggles during a nine-game losing streak. “We’ve got to get him to slow his feet down a little bit. He’s got a tremendous amount of power. Just get him to stay on the ball and not worry about doing much.”

Ruiz, who starts tonight against the Rockies, is struggling himself, with a .610 OPS that has fallen below his already-concerning .619 mark from last season. He doesn’t have an extra-base hit yet this month, nor has he drawn a walk over his last 105 plate appearances.

Ruiz, of course, signed an eight-year, $50 million extension in 2023. Adams, meanwhile, is out of options and can’t be sent to the minors without first passing through waivers.

Martinez tried to alleviate Adams’ fears with a recent vote of confidence.

“I’ve talked to him. He’s our backup catcher,” the manager said. “I’m trying to play him as much as I can now. Forget about (his offensive struggles). His throwing’s gotten a lot better. His receiving’s been really good. Calling games has been really, really good. I told him the hitting will come. … I think with him, once it clicks, he’ll be good for a while.”

* Two injured players are set to begin rehab assignments tonight for Double-A Harrisburg.

Paul DeJong will bat third and play third base for the Senators in his first live game action since getting struck in the face by a fastball two months ago in Pittsburgh. The veteran infielder will wear a protective flap on his helmet extending beyond the earhole. He may also wear protective glasses.

Mason Thompson is scheduled to pitch in relief for Harrisburg, his first full-affiliate game appearance since he underwent his second Tommy John surgery in March 2024.

And Derek Law is set to join DeJong and Thompson on Thursday for his first rehab appearance since opening the season on the 15-day IL with right forearm inflammation. Law will actually start that game for the Senators but will be held to 20-25 pitches. If all goes well, he should pitch again there over the weekend, after which the Nationals will decide if he’s ready to be activated or remain on rehab while the team plays out west.

* Dylan Crews has progressed enough in his recovery from an oblique strain to be cleared to travel with the Nationals on this upcoming nine-game trip to Los Angeles, San Diego and Anaheim. Crews is nearly four weeks removed from suffering the injury. The plan, according to Martinez, is for the rookie outfielder to begin taking some very light swings early next week, then build up from there.