José Tena is a 25-year-old left-handed designated hitter from the Dominican Republic playing for the Washington Nationals. Born on March 20, 2001, in San Cristóbal, he made his MLB debut on August 5, 2023, and has been working to carve out a consistent role in Washington’s lineup ever since.
Quick Facts
- Full name: José Tena
- Position: Designated Hitter
- Team: Washington Nationals
- Number: 8
- Bats / Throws: Left / Right
- Height / Weight: 5’10» / 194 lbs
- Born: March 20, 2001 (age 25)
- Hometown: San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic
- MLB Debut: August 5, 2023
Background
San Cristóbal has produced its share of big-league talent, and Tena is the latest product of that baseball-rich region. He developed through the Dominican academy system and the minor leagues before the Nationals called him up in the summer of 2023. Since then, he’s been navigating the learning curve that comes with establishing yourself at the highest level of the game.
Professional Career
Tena’s 2024 season offered some encouraging signs: a .267 batting average, 3 home runs, 15 RBI, and 6 stolen bases — a well-rounded line that hinted at his offensive versatility.
The 2025 campaign was a step back. He hit .243 with no home runs, 16 RBI, and a .669 OPS — numbers that pointed to struggles generating power and getting on base consistently. He did steal 3 bases, keeping at least one tool active.
In 2026, the power has returned. Tena is slashing .239/.696 OPS with 5 home runs, 20 RBI, 28 runs scored, and 3 stolen bases. The average is still a work in progress, but the uptick in pop is a positive development for a young DH still finding his footing in the majors.
Career Stats at a Glance
- 2026 – Washington Nationals: .239 AVG | 5 HR | 20 RBI | 28 R | .696 OPS | 3 SB
- 2025 – Washington Nationals: .243 AVG | 0 HR | 16 RBI | 19 R | .669 OPS | 3 SB
- 2024: .267 AVG | 3 HR | 15 RBI | 14 R | .652 OPS | 6 SB
Awards and Recognition
Tena hasn’t collected individual hardware yet — no MVP nods, Silver Sluggers, or All-Star appearances. At 25, the priority is building the kind of offensive consistency that keeps a DH in a big-league lineup year after year.
Fun Fact
Tena bats left but throws right — a combination that adds a layer of defensive versatility to his profile. More than anything, though, he’s known for his work-in-progress mentality: each season, he’s shown up looking to sharpen his average and add more pop, two things any modern DH needs to stick in the majors long-term.
