Andrew

Chafin

At this point in the season, it’s very likely that the injury will cost the 35-year-old southpaw the rest of the year. Chafin pitched very well in 16 appearances with the team, registering a 1.98 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and an 18/7 K/BB ratio over 13 2/3 innings. He’ll be a free agent at season’s end.

Chafin has made 27 appearances for Washington in 2025 with a 2.70 ERA. The 35-year-old southpaw will be a bridge to closer Kenley Jansen over the final two months of the 2025 campaign.

The Nationals will acquire left-handed pitcher Jake Eder and first baseman Sam Brown in the deal, per Golden. Chafin has been a solid relief option for Washington at the age of 35, and he and Garcia will both provide middle-inning help for a team that is closer to contention than anyone could have imagined to begin 2025.

Chafin missed just-over two weeks with the strain. He’ll return to a middle-innings role with Washington now that he’s healthy enough to compete.

The Nationals had been hopeful that Chafin’s hamstring issue was minor and that he could work through it without requiring a trip to the injured list, but after playing with a shorthanded bullpen for a couple of nights the decision was made to make a move. Ryan Loutos was recalled from Triple-A Rochester to take his place in the Nats’ bullpen.

No word yet on the financial terms of the deal. The 34-year-old southpaw exercised the opt-out clause in his contract with the Tigers on Thursday, and it didn’t take him long to find a new gig. Chafin had been pitching well for the Mudhens, posting a 2.13 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 17/4 K/BB ratio across 12 2/3 innings.

Instead, Chafin will report to Triple-A Toledo. The veteran left-hander all but assuredly has an opt-out clause, so his stay in Toledo will likely be short whether he’s called up by the Tigers or not.

Chafin returns to the Motor City where he spent parts of two seasons (2022 and 2024) after posting a 3.51 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 70/31 K/BB ratio across 56 1/3 innings (62 appearances) last year between the Tigers and Rangers. The 34-year-old southpaw provides Detroit with some extra left-handed relief depth behind Tyler Holton and should be a near-lock to make their season-opening bullpen.

The 34-year-old hurler has been well-traveled over the past two seasons, making 20 or more appearances for four different ballclubs. He became a free agent in November when the Rangers declined his $6.5 million option and interest on the open market has been slow to this point. The Yankees are also interested in bringing back Tim Hill, so they appear to be casting a wide net in their search for a quality left-hander to add to their bullpen.

Chafin will receive a $500,000 buyout and head to free agency. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw split last year between the Tigers and Rangers, finishing with a solid 3.51 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 70/31 K/BB ratio across 56 1/3 innings (62 appearances). He’ll latch on somewhere as an experienced high-leverage option.