All articles tagged with #washington nationals
Washington traded outfielder Robert Hassell III to the Pirates for cash or a player to be named later after Hassell cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A. The move gives Pittsburgh a low-risk depth piece with potential upside if Hassell can rebound, while Washington sheds a roster spot and salary considerations as Hassell, a former top prospect, has struggled at the majors and in the minors.
The Washington Nationals selected DMV-born infield bat Chris Hacopian from Texas A&M with the 11th pick, a pure-hitting profile known for elite contact skills, rare plate discipline and power upside. Local product (Winston Churchill HS/Maryland) with a strong walk-to-strikeout rate, he’s projected as a bat-first contributor who may move to first base if needed, as defense and speed aren’t standout. He hit .319 with a .983 OPS this season, and his zone contact rate (about 92.7%) underscores his contact skills, making him a high-upside add tied to local roots and draft chatter that linked him to the Nats.
Willson Contreras hit a three-run homer in the first inning to spark the Red Sox’s 6-3 win over the Nationals at Fenway, then sobbed in the dugout over the Venezuela earthquake tragedy before an umpire ejected him in the second inning for a helmet-tap gesture deemed disrespectful, as Boston stretched its win streak to five.
Derek Hill delivered a go-ahead two-run homer off Richard Lovelady in the ninth after Kyle Schwarber's pinch-hit walk, lifting the Phillies to a 5-4 win over the Nationals at Nationals Park; it was Hill's first homer as a Phillie, capping a late rally sparked by a prior Phillies scoring burst and solid pitching from Aaron Nola.
Seattle’s series opener vs. Washington was delayed by thunderstorms in the DC area and will now start at 5:55 p.m. PT on Friday. The forecast calls for clearing conditions, with Saturday’s and Sunday’s games scheduled for 1:05 p.m. PT and 10:35 a.m. PT respectively.
Fernando Tatis Jr. hit his first 2026 home run, a 451-foot shot that gave San Diego a lead, but the Padres squandered it as Washington erupted for six runs in the seventh en route to a 9-4 win, leaving the series tied in Washington.
The Washington Nationals terminated Sean Hudson after a video surfaced suggesting the team doesn’t use pitcher Williams on social media due to his criticism of a drag group that mocks Catholic imagery; the organization said the remarks do not reflect its values and acted promptly to address the situation.
The Washington Nationals fired a team official after a hidden-camera video posted by James O’Keefe appeared to show him discussing internal team matters, including a player’s religion and the franchise’s relationship with the Trump administration; the team said the comments were factually inaccurate and not reflective of their views.
The Washington Nationals dismissed Sean Hudson, the team’s former director of community relations, after an undercover clip released by the O’Keefe Media Group showed him discussing internal social-media decisions— including a supposed ban on a Catholic pitcher— and suggesting close ties with defense contractors and efforts to placate President Trump, such as inviting security figures to games and using fan data. The team said no directives were issued and Hudson was not on the social-media team, and Hudson has not commented.
A leaked video appears to show Nationals official Sean Hudson suggesting the team doesn’t feature pitcher Trevor Williams on social media because of his Catholic faith and his past criticism of the drag group Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The Nationals deny the remarks reflect policy and say they were recorded without consent. CatholicVote has filed a complaint with the DOJ civil rights division, seeking an investigation into potential religious discrimination. Williams has publicly defended his faith, and the controversy has sparked broader discussion about religious expression in sports.
Chadwick Tromp delivered his first career walk-off with an 11th-inning single to lift the Braves to a 5-4 win over the Nationals, a timely moment as Atlanta nurses injuries to its catchers. The piece also includes a mini deep dive into Dylan Dodd’s arsenal and notes on Braves minor leaguers and other MLB updates.
The Nationals have embraced a new identity as a young, aggressive, double-heavy offense that can erase deficits, led by James Wood and CJ Abrams. In a comeback win over the Mets, Wood delivered an inside-the-park grand slam, turning a 5-0 hole into a 5-4 victory, as Washington leads MLB in runs (271) and doubles (98) through May 20 under new manager Blake Butera, signaling a fun, rejuvenated era despite some pitching hiccups.
Washington optioned Brady House and outfielder Joey Wiemer to Triple-A Rochester to clear space for Dylan Crews and Andres Chaparro; Crews is expected to be a regular in Washington’s lineup while House, who is batting around .227/.282/.399 with seven homers and has defensive issues, works on his game in the minors and could return later in the season as he nears the one-year service-time threshold.
Washington Nationals banned at least one person after a banner directing fans to a white nationalist website and calling for deportation was unfurled during Sunday’s Salute to Service game; an usher attempted to confiscate it, but the holders fled. The team condemned the rhetoric and is coordinating with the Metropolitan Police Department on a follow-up investigation. Online claims of responsibility by Jake Lang surfaced, though how the banner bypassed security remains unclear. Nationals Park’s guidelines restrict banners to MLB-related or family-friendly messages and prohibit hate speech or other disallowed content.
The Mets blew a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning as Luke Weaver gave up a go-ahead two-run homer to C.J. Abrams, sealing a 5-4 loss to the Nationals. New York’s trouble-filled April continues (10-21, 3-17 in 20 games), with a bunting-prone approach and a sputtering offense unable to close out the game despite a brief 4-3 lead and late rallies.