All articles tagged with #washington nationals
The Washington Nationals promoted power-hitting prospect Yohandy Morales to the majors after a standout AAA campaign (104 games, .286/.882 with 25 homers). Morales projects as a right-handed masher who makes hard contact and uses the whole field, but may face growing pains against high-velocity pitching and has a murky defensive fit (1B/3B) that could limit playing time as he adjusts to the big leagues.
The Braves’ battle on both sides of the ball ends in a 9-5 defeat at Washington, as AJ Smith-Shawver allows five earned over four innings and two Nationals making MLB debuts—Yohandy Morales (first MLB hit, plus a homer) and Jared Simpson (three scoreless relief)—play pivotal roles in the win. Atlanta’s runners were stranded in key spots, early leads slipped away, and a late rally fell short, continuing the club’s frustrating road-tripping pattern.
The Washington Nationals selected left-hander Jared Simpson for September call-ups and added infielder Yohandy Morales to the expanded roster, while catcher Drew Millas was placed on the 60-day injured list to create a 40-man vacancy. Simpson, a 26-year-old former eighth-round pick who split this season between Double-A and Triple-A with a 2.30 ERA, 28.9% strikeouts and strong ground-ball rate but a 15% walk rate, is expected to serve as a bullpen arm in his major-league debut as rosters expand to 28.
The Washington Nationals will shift All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to second base in coming days to bolster the defense, with Nasim Nuñez moving from second to short. Abrams will still see shortstop errors about once a week as the club weighs long-term fit and potential future roster moves, a decision driven by a desire to win more games in 2026–27. Abrams greeted the plan with professionalism, while questions about morale and timing linger as the season progresses.
The Washington Nationals plan to shift CJ Abrams from shortstop to second base over the final six weeks of the season, with Nasim Nuñez taking over as the primary shortstop. Abrams approved the change, which will be gradual, and it would add second-base eligibility to his fantasy value for this season and into 2027.
The Washington Nationals announced CJ Abrams will gradually move from shortstop to second base, with Nasim Nuñez continuing as the regular shortstop for now and Abrams slated to become the regular second baseman once he’s comfortable. Abrams has been a standout hitter this season (29 HR, 23 SB, .284/.357/.541, 143 wRC+), but his defensive metrics at short have been poor, prompting the position switch. Washington, still in rebuild mode, is weighing Abrams’ long-term status amid a crowded future with top prospects like Seaver King and Eli Willits while Nuñez handles second base in the near term.
The Cubs roll a lefty-heavy lineup for the series finale at Nationals Park, with Pedro Ramirez starting at second base (batting sixth) to balance Cade Cavalli’s splits, while Ian Happ remains in the lineup at left and Michael Conforto handles DH. The rest of the order features Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch, Alex Bregman, Dansby Swanson, and Miguel Amaya. Kevin Gausman starts for the Cubs against Nationals right-hander Cavalli, as the Cubs look to complete a series sweep after winning the first two games; bench options include Nico Hoerner, Carson Kelly, Tyrone Taylor, and James Triantos.
Alex Bregman delivered a career-first three-homer game and seven RBIs as the Cubs beat the Nationals 12-6, flipping the game with a five-run sixth inning. The performance boosts his season metrics and helps Chicago inch within three games of the NL Central lead heading into a series finale.
The Washington Nationals designated veteran pitcher Miles Mikolas for assignment to open a roster spot for 23-year-old left-hander Jackson Kent, who will make his MLB debut against the Cubs. Mikolas, who posted a 5.82 ERA over 116 innings with a low strikeout rate and high home-run tally, is likely to pass through waivers and become a free agent after the Nats pay the remaining portion of his $2.25M base salary; Kent will join Cade Cavalli, Jake Irvin and Andrew Alvarez in the back-half rotation for the season.
Inclement weather postponed the Reds-Nationals series opener with a start time to be determined. Cincinnati will employ a bullpen-style plan, with Chase Petty expected to work about two innings, while Cade Cavalli will start for the Nationals; the Reds have been strong in close games this season, and updates will be shared by Nationals via social media.
Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood was placed on the 10-day injured list with a mild oblique strain, with Andrew Pinckney called up to take his roster spot and potentially make his MLB debut; Wood has been one of the team's top contributors this season, and his absence could temper the lineup as Pinckney gets his first major-league opportunity.
The Washington Nationals traded All-Star lefty Foster Griffin to the Cleveland Guardians for four prospects—Josh Hartle, Kendeglys Virguez, Will Dion and Nick Mitchell—an apparently underwhelming return given Griffin's 12-3, 3.06 ERA season; Hartle and Dion could help depth, but the package lacks high upside.
The Cleveland Guardians acquired left-hander Foster Griffin from the Washington Nationals in exchange for Will Dion, Josh Hartle, Kendeglys Virguez, and Nick Mitchell, adding a veteran starter with a 3.06 ERA and 4.09 FIP this season who is a 2027 free agent. Griffin, 31, went 12-3 in 22 starts after returning from the KBO, potentially stabilizing Cleveland’s rotation as they adjust their pitching staff.
With Spencer Arrighetti traded for Daulton Varsho and rotation depth thinning, the Astros are pursuing pitching upgrades before the MLB trade deadline. Nationals left-hander Foster Griffin is among the players Houston is weighing, though they haven’t zeroed in on him specifically; other options like Casey Mize and Shane Bieber remain on the board. Griffin, on a $5.5M contract with a 3.06 ERA over 22 starts and a 22.1% strikeout rate, is expected to be traded unless an extension is reached.
Cleveland acquired lefty Foster Griffin from Washington for four prospects—Will Dion, Josh Hartle, Kendeglys Virguez and Nick Mitchell—adding a veteran starter who posted a 3.15 ERA across 129 1/3 innings in 2026 and should give Cleveland more rotation depth for a potential playoff run.