Thaddeus

Ward

One of the top prospects in the fantasy landscape, it feels like only a matter of time before Basallo is mashing at the highest level. The 20-year-old prodigy made it all the way to Triple-A last year and boasts top-of-the-scale raw power potential. He’s unlikely to retain catcher eligibility long-term, but he’ll make enough loud contact to be an impact fantasy contributor regardless of his defensive home.

The move takes the 27-year-old hurler off of the club’s 40-man roster. Ward had been claimed off of waivers from the Nationals in early November after posting a 5.64 ERA and 1.73 WHIP over 119 2/3 innings at Triple-A Rochester during the 2024 season. He’ll continue to serve as additional rotation depth for the O’s.

A former Boston Red Sox prospect, Ward was a Rule 5 pick in 2022 and has posted a 6.37 ERA in 26 MLB appearances as a reliever. He spent all of 2024 with Triple-A Rochester and had a 5.64 ERA in 28 appearances.

It looks like the Nationals want Ward to get stretched out as a starter in the minors this season. The team optioned him to Triple-A Rochester after he pitched on Monday. Washington used the 27-year-old in relief last season and appeared in 26 games where struggled with a 6.37 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 30/28 K/BB ratio.

La Sorsa heads back to the minors to make room for Thaddeus Ward to come off the IL. The left-hander threw five scoreless innings across two appearances in his most recent stint with the big league club and now has a 5.02 ERA in 28 2/3 innings on the season. There’s a chance he gets another shot as a fresh arm in the bullpen later this month.

The Rule 5 pick from the Boston Red Sox had made 22 appearances for the Nationals, while posting a 7.12 ERA before going on the IL in early July. Ward looked good in his last rehab outing and has now pitched exactly five innings in his last two outings and is built up to 79 pitches. All 22 of his appearances with Washington this season have come as a reliever, but it appears as though the team is looking to use him as a starter once he returns from the 15-day injured list. Joe La Sorsa was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The 26-year-old was sent to the IL in early July after making 22 appearances for the Washington Nationals (7.12 ERA). Shoulder inflammation was the culprit and he’s attempting to pitch his way back into shape in the lower levels. He made two starts for the rookie-league affiliate before bumping up to high-A on Thursday. Ward gave up just three hits and one walk in four innnings of scoreless work, striking out two along the way.

Ward will kick off his rehab assignment with the Nationals’ Rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate. The 26-year-old Rule 5 selection has been out since early July due to right shoulder inflammation.

Ward heads to the injured list after being hit hard his last time out on Saturday against the Phillies. The 26-year-old Rule 5 selection will get a couple weeks off before rejoining Washington’s relief mix.

The Nationals would have liked some length from Ward down big in this one, but he threw 28 pitches while getting just two outs. The 26-year-old Rule 5 pick from the Red Sox has given up 15 runs over 10 2/3 innings in his last eight appearances. His ERA for the season stands at 7.12. One imagines the Nationals will hold on to him, but they might stash him on the IL at some point.