Matt

Krook

Krook struggled in three appearances with the Nationals, posting a 6.75 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and a 2/2 K/BB ratio across 2 2/3 innings including suffering a blown save against the Yankees on Friday night. It’s possible that he could once again attract interest on waivers as bullpen help is difficult to come by.

Sure. Krook entered the game with a 14.54 ERA and was just claimed on waivers from the Athletics last Saturday. Clayton Beeter came in during the eighth inning to extinguish Paul Goldschmidt and save Tom Cosgrove from a blown save. Instead of letting Beeter face Cody Bellinger, Jasson Dominguez and Jazz Chisholm, Drew Butera went to the left-hander. Weird how going to the guy with the huge ERA works out. Butera is the only one who knows how this bullpen will go, is one thing that’s clear.

Krook has been gobbled up by Washington as extra left-handed relief depth after being hit hard in five relief appearances for the Athletics. He’s a worthwhile gamble for the Nationals as they continue to churn through lefty relievers in an effort to find a solution in their bullpen.

The Athletics needed to make room on the active roster for the return of José Suarez and unfortunately for Krook he wound up on the outside looking in this time. The 31-year-old southpaw holds a catastrophic 17.18 ERA, 2.73 WHIP and a 5/4 K/BB ratio over 3 2/3 innings in five appearances with the A’s this season.

Krook provides the Athletics with a fresh arm for Sunday’s series finale against the Angels. The 31-year-old lefty last appeared in the majors when he made three appearances for the Athletics last year. He’s posted a respectable 3.72 ERA and 42/16 K/BB ratio across 29 innings this season at Triple-A Las Vegas.

De Vries put together an extremely impressive showing in Cactus League play, hitting .409 (18-for-44) with three homers and 11 RBI in 17 contests. The switch-hitting 19-year-old prodigy was the centerpiece of the Mason Miller blockbuster at the trade deadline last July and will open the minor league season at Double-A Midland. It wouldn’t be shocking at all if he reached the big leagues as a teenager in the second half. He’s one of the top 10 prospects in the entire fantasy landscape entering 2026.

Krook also signed a minor league deal with the A’s about this time last year. He joined the major league team briefly in May and allowed two runs in 3 1/3 innings before being claimed on waivers by the Guardians. He spent the rest of the year in Triple-A, posting a 3.18 ERA and a 40/24 K/BB in 34 innings. Poor control has kept Krook from establishing himself in the majors, but he can both miss bats and generate grounders. He’ll probably get another look at some point.

All six players have elected free agency instead of sticking around with the Guardians. No real surprises here as Cleveland clears some space on its 40-man roster heading into the offseason. Lively is the most prominent name by a considerable margin, but he’s going to miss a significant portion of next season recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The Guardians had a spot open on their 40-man roster after transferring Ben Lively to the 60-day injured list, so they snagged Krook off of waivers from the A’s. The 30-year-old southpaw made three appearances with the Athletics this season, posting a 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and a 3/1 K/BB ratio across 3 1/3 innings. He’ll add extra depth at the Triple-A level for the Guardians.

Krook loses his spot on the Athletics’ 40-man roster with the club making a flurry of moves ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Astros. The 30-year-old lefty has made only three relief appearances this season in the majors. He figures to pass through waivers unclaimed and remain with the club as organizational depth.