Washington Nationals News

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Josiah Gray • SP • Nationals

Nationals Avoid Arbitration With Josiah Gray

The Washington Nationals avoided salary arbitration with right-hander Josiah Gray (elbow) on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.35 million deal, a source told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Gray is expected to be ready to pitch in spring training after missing all of the 2025 campaign due to right-elbow surgery. The 27-year-old will make the same money that he did this past season. Gray was a former second-round selection by the Cincinnati Reds in 2018 out of Le Moyne College in New York. He broke into the big leagues in 2021 with the Los Angeles Dodgers before making his way to D.C. Gray was an All-Star in 2023 despite going 8-13 with a 3.91 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 30 starts. He made only two starts in 2024 before being shut down with elbow issues. Fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach on Gray in 2026, especially since he will probably face a strict innings limit in his first season back.

2 days ago

MacKenzie Gore • SP • Nationals

Orioles Discussing Trade for MacKenzie Gore

The Baltimore Orioles have had steady communication about Washington Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore, sources told Jon Morosi of MLB Network. There is no indication that a deal is close, though. The Orioles have yet to complete a trade with the Nationals since the franchise moved to D.C. ESPN's Buster Olney reportedly recently that there is a perception among several front offices that the Nationals will definitely trade Gore this offseason. The 26-year-old southpaw was heading for a breakout 2025 campaign in the first half before fading in the second half while missing time due to ankle and shoulder injuries. He finished with a 5-15 record, 4.17 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 185 strikeouts, and 64 walks in 30 starts (159 2/3 innings) in his fourth MLB season. It would be quite a splash for the O's, who just signed superstar first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million deal.

4 days ago

CJ Abrams • SS • Nationals

Nationals Drawing Heavy Interest on CJ Abrams

The Washington Nationals are getting pushed aggressively on shortstop CJ Abrams this offseason, people familiar with their talks told Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. According to league sources, the Nationals are open to talks on Abrams, but "the bar is high." The 25-year-old is attractive to teams around the league, given the lack of shortstops available on the open market. He's expected to make $5.6 million next year with two more years of arbitration eligibility before becoming a free agent. Beyond Bo Bichette and Ha-Seong Kim, there is a significant drop-off in talent. Additionally, Abrams is coming off his best offensive season with a .748 OPS, 19 home runs, and 31 stolen bases. Regardless of where Abrams is playing in 2026, the young shortstop is one of the more attractive young power/speed options at the shortstop position for fantasy drafts next spring.

6 days ago

Harry Ford • C • Nationals |

Jose A. Ferrer • RP • Mariners

Harry Ford Traded to the Nationals

The Washington Nationals acquired catching prospect Harry Ford by trading away left-handed reliever Jose A. Ferrer to the Seattle Mariners. The 22-year-old is an MLB Pipeline top-50 prospect who slashed .283/.408/.460 with 16 home runs, 68 runs, 74 RBI, seven steals, and a 125 wRC+ in 458 plate appearances at AAA last year. The Mariners already have All-Star Cal Raleigh behind the dish, which apparently made Ford expendable. For the Nationals, they land a top prospect that can quickly take over for Keibert Ruiz and Riley Adams. Ruiz hasn't come close to replicating his 2023 breakout season, when he slugged 18 home runs with a .274 xBA and a 10.3% strikeout rate. Last year, Ruiz hit only two home runs in 267 plate appearances while battling symptoms from a concussion he sustained on June 23. Ford was called up at the end of last year and may be the Nationals' starting catcher at some point in 2026.

Dec 6

Harry Ford • C • Nationals

Mariners Acquire Jose A. Ferrer from the Nationals

The Seattle Mariners acquired left-handed reliever Jose A. Ferrer from the Washington Nationals in exchange for catching prospect Harry Ford. The 25-year-old has thrown 142 1/3 career innings with a 4.36 ERA (3.24 SIERA), 121 strikeouts, and a 1.26 WHIP. In 2025, he abandoned his four-seam fastball and posted a career-best 21.9% strikeout rate alongside a career-low 4.9% walk rate. Overall, he recorded 11 saves for Washington last season, finishing with a 4.48 ERA across 76 1/3 innings. Seattle apparently felt it needed another left-hander for the back end of its bullpen and paid a steep price to get one. According to MLB Pipeline, Ford is a top-50 prospect and widely regarded as one of the best up-and-coming catchers in the minor leagues.

Dec 6

MacKenzie Gore • SP • Nationals

Will the Nationals Trade MacKenzie Gore?

There is a perception in a couple of front offices that the Washington Nationals plan to trade left-hander MacKenzie Gore, according to Buster Olney of ESPN. The 26-year-old got off to a hot start in 2025, posting a 3.02 ERA with 138 strikeouts in 110 1/3 innings before the All-Star break. After the break, however, he struggled mightily to a 6.75 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP in 49 1/3 innings. Gore has always had the stuff to be an ace, but his inability to close out the year strong collides with his lack of control to produce a very risky pitcher to invest in on draft day. Gore is best for leagues with daily lineups, so you can pick and choose which matchups to play him.

Dec 6

MacKenzie Gore • SP • Nationals

Nationals Expected to Trade MacKenzie Gore?

Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports writes that the Washington Nationals are expected to use left-hander MacKenzie Gore as "trade bait to kick-start their new era." Gore is a talented young starter just entering his prime in the big leagues, but the Nationals now have an entirely new front office, a new coaching staff, and new ideas for their future. The 26-year-old dealt with some ankle issues this year and finished the season on the injured list, but he should be fully healthy in time for spring training in 2026. The former first-rounder was a first-time All-Star for the Nats in 2025 in his third year with the team despite going 5-15 in 30 starts (159 2/3 innings). Gore posted a 4.17 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with a career-high 185 strikeouts and 64 walks. He had a career-best 27.2% strikeout rate, but Gore must find better control if he's going to take the next step as a potential fantasy ace.

Nov 12

Jake Bennett • SP • Nationals

Jake Bennett Could be in the Majors Next Year

Washington Nationals pitching prospect Jake Bennett could be the next pitching prospect from the minors to be in the big leagues next year. With Travis Sykora (elbow) and Jarlin Susana (lat) injured, and Sykora in particular expected to miss 2026 after undergoing Tommy John late in the season, the Nationals may look to Bennett in order to plug a hole in a rotation that had the second-worst ERA in the league this year (5.17). The Nats' 10th-ranked prospect missed all of 2024 recovering from his own Tommy John surgery, but pitched well at three different levels this year, posting a 2.27 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and a 15.2 percent K-BB% in 18 starts (75 1/3 innings pitched). His 7.65 K/9 rate will have to increase in order to make him more appealing for fantasy, though, so keep an eye on him in 2026 to see if the offseason gave him time to improve that area of his game.

Sep 24

MacKenzie Gore • SP • Nationals

MacKenzie Gore to Miss Rest of 2025 Season

Washington Nationals starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore (ankle) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday. It's unclear when Gore suffered this injury, but it'll force him to miss the final week of the season. He struggled during his final start of the season, where he gave up four runs and allowed four walks over two innings of work. Gore had a strong start to the season and earned himself an All-Star nod. However, Gore wasn't able to keep up that same pace in the second half. He'll finish the season with a 4.17 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 185/64 K/BB ratio across 30 starts. In a corresponding move, right-handers Julian Fernandenz and Orlando Ribalta have been recalled, with Gore and Mason Thompson (biceps) heading to the shelf.

Sep 23

Josiah Gray • SP • Nationals

Josiah Gray Won't Pitch for Nationals in 2025

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Josiah Gray (elbow) won't make it back to the big league mound before the end of the regular season. Gray has been working his way back from last year's Tommy John surgery. He was able to make a few rehab starts, but doesn't have enough time to get ready to throw a big league game. He'll return to the team's spring training complex, which will end any chances of Gray pitching in the big leagues in 2025. The expectation is that Gray should be ready in time for the beginning of the 2026 campaign.

Sep 22

CJ Abrams • SS • Nationals

CJ Abrams Out With Jammed Shoulder on Sunday

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (shoulder) is sitting on Sunday against the New York Mets. Nasim Nunez will fill in at short and hit ninth in a meeting with left-hander Sean Manaea. Abrams left the Nationals' 5-3 win over the Mets on Saturday after jamming his right shoulder diving into third base in the top of the 11th. However, interim manager Miguel Cairo downplayed the severity of the injury and said that Abrams will be available to pinch-hit on Sunday. The 24-year-old has played 138 games this season and slashed .261/.321/.438 with 18 homers, 58 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 31 stolen bases in 609 plate appearances. Abrams did the majority of his damage before the All-Star break, though, as he has hit just .224/.273/.373 with six HRs, 20 RBI, and 11 steals in the second half of the season.

Sep 21

Jarlin Susana • RP • Nationals

Jarlin Susana Undergoes Lat Surgery, Status for Spring Unclear

Washington Nationals pitching prospect Jarlin Susana (lat) underwent surgery on his ailing right lat sometime last week. The Nats' third-ranked prospect exited his last start on August 30 in clear pain and was placed on the injured list on September 3. The right-hander also missed two months in the middle of the season due to a UCL sprain, so he's been limited to just 11 starts at Double-A this year, where he posted a 3.61 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings pitched. It isn't clear how long he'll need to recover, but expect the 21-year-old to be back at Double-A next season whenever he returns, with Triple-A and a major league debut at some point both on the table as well.

Sep 16

MacKenzie Gore • SP • Nationals

MacKenzie Gore Solid in Return From Injury

Washington Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore (5-14) was effective in his return from the 15-day injured list on Thursday. After missing two weeks with shoulder inflammation, Gore tossed five innings of two-run, four-hit ball and logged four strikeouts against two walks in a 5-0 loss to the Miami Marlins. The Nationals eased Gore back in, pulling him after 78 pitches (50 strikes), and he got no help from the Nats' offense. The 26-year-old now has a 4.14 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP and 177:57 K:BB over 152 1/3 innings this season. He's scheduled to take on the division-rival Atlanta Braves in his next start on Tuesday. It'll be the first time Gore has faced the Braves this year.

Sep 12

James Wood • LF • Nationals

James Wood Absent on Thursday

Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood is out of the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Miami Marlins. This is a rare off day for Wood who hasn't sat out of a contest since August 17. It's probably a good time with left-hander Ryan Weathers on the mound for Miami. This will give the Nats a chance to play the matchup game here. Paul DeJong will serve as the designated hitter and bat seventh during Thursday's game. Fantasy managers should check their lineups and adjust accordingly ahead of first pitch.

Sep 11

Riley Adams • C • Nationals

Riley Adams Back Behind the Dish on Thursday

Washington Nationals catcher Riley Adams (groin) is back behind the plate to catch left-hander MacKenzie Gore and will bat third on Thursday against the division-rival Miami Marlins and left-hander Ryan Weathers, who is making his return from the injured list. Adams took a foul tip off a sensitive area while catching in Tuesday's game against the Fish and left the game early, but he avoided a serious injury and is back in there after being rested on Wednesday. The 29-year-old backstop continues to serve as the team's primary catcher with Keibert Ruiz (concussion) still on the injured list. Adams has a career-high eight home runs and 24 RBI in his 71 games played in his fifth year in the big leagues (fourth with the Nats). Overall, he's batting just a hair over .200 but has slashed .239/.316/.380 with five long balls since taking over for Ruiz.

Sep 11

MacKenzie Gore • SP • Nationals

MacKenzie Gore to Start on Thursday

Washington Nationals starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore (shoulder) will be activated off the 15-day injured list and take the ball versus the Miami Marlins on Thursday. Gore will end up only missing the minimum of 15 days on the IL due to shoulder inflammation. Before going down, Gore allowed six runs and walked six batters over his previous two starts. Hopefully, his struggles were due to his shoulder and he'll get back on track on Thursday. Gore should be rostered in a majority of fantasy leagues ahead of this plus-matchup.

Sep 10

Jacob Young • CF • Nationals

Jacob Young Back in Lineup on Saturday

Washington Nationals outfielder Jacob Young (back) is returning to the lineup on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs. The center fielder will bat ninth in a meeting with left-hander Matthew Boyd. Young is making his first appearance since he left a 5-2 win over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday with back spasms. While Young went 2-for-2 in that game, the glove-first 26-year-old hasn't contributed much offense this season. He's hitting a meek .235/.303/.287 with one homer, 26 RBI, 31 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases in 326 trips to the plate.

Sep 6

Dylan Crews • RF • Nationals

Dylan Crews Sitting on Friday

Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Chicago Cubs and right-hander Javier Assad. Daylen Lile will take Crews' place in right field and bat cleanup. This season has been a struggle for Crews, the second overall pick in the 2023 draft. He got off to a poor start before sitting out almost three months with an oblique strain. Since he returned on Aug. 14, Crews has gone 13-for-62 (.210) with no homers, four RBI, 10 runs scored, three stolen bases, and 16:8 K:BB in 19 games. The 23-year-old has taken 244 trips to the plate this season and put together a .200/.279/.341 line with seven HRs, 19 RBI, 34 runs, and 14 steals.

Sep 5

Jacob Young • CF • Nationals

Jacob Young Not in Lineup on Friday

Washington Nationals outfielder Jacob Young (back) is not in the lineup on Friday against the Chicago Cubs. Robert Hassell III will play center field and bat eighth in a meeting with right-hander Javier Assad. Young left a 5-2 win over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday with back spasms and didn't play on Wednesday. The Nationals were idle on Thursday, and Young will get another day off before a potential weekend return. The glove-first 26-year-old has played in 105 games this season and hit .235/.303/.287 with one homer, 26 RBI, 31 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases in 326 plate appearances.

Sep 5

Josiah Gray • SP • Nationals

Josiah Gray to Start Rehab Assignment Sunday

Washington Nationals right-hander Josiah Gray (elbow) will start for High-A Wilmington on Sunday, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com. It'll be Gray's first game action since he underwent Tommy John surgery with an internal-brace procedure in July 2024. Gray only made two starts last season (none after April 4), but he was an All-Star out of the Nationals' rotation in 2023. He racked up 30 starts that year and recorded a 3.91 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP, 143 strikeouts, and 80 walks in 159 innings. The 27-year-old isn't expected to return to the majors this season, but he could push for a rotation spot next spring.

Sep 5

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