Washington Nationals: News, Scores, Stats, Headlines, Injury Updates & More

Foster Griffin and Nationals finalize 1-year, $5.5 million contract

Foster Griffin, who pitched in Japan for the Central League’s Yomiuri Giants the past three years, is the first free agent signing for new Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni, hired by the team in late September.

Associated Press,

Associated Press,

Next GameNext Game
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Standing (Division)Division Rank	5th NL East
WinsWins	66
LossesLosses	96
RunsRuns Scored	687
Runs AllowedRuns Allowed	899
Batting AverageBatting Average	.242
Home RunsHome Runs	161
ManagerManager	Miguel Cairo

Ani Kilambi, 31, is joining the Washington Nationals as their general manager

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MLB: World Series-Toronto Blue Jays at Los Angeles Dodgers

Blue Jays’ Max Scherzer gets second World Series Game 7 start after Dodgers force winner-take-all

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Report: Nationals finalizing hire of 33-year-old Blake Butera as manager

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Associated Press,

MLB: Wildcard-Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees

Fantasy Baseball 2025 Outfield Breakdown: Who will challenge Aaron Judge, Juan Soto in 2026?

Matthew Pouliot,

Matthew Pouliot,

MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals

Report: Nationals interim manager Miguel Cairo will not get the permanent job

Associated Press,

Associated Press,

Stephen Strasburg returns to San Diego State as special assistant to head coach

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Associated Press,

Rotoworld Player News

Matt Mervis

WSH 1st Baseman #36

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Nationals signed 1B Matt Mervis to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

These was thought Mervis’s declining EV numbers during a rough 2024 were the product of a broken hamate bone, so the Marlins gave him a chance last season. However, he hit just .175/.254/.383 in 134 plate appearances before being cast off. He went on to hit 19 homers in 65 Triple-A games, and his EV numbers were better at the end of the year. Still, he mostly just seems like a Triple-A slugger at the moment.
Foster Griffin

WSH Relief Pitcher #60

Nationals signed LHP Foster Griffin to a one-year, $5.5 million contract.

The move was announced last week and is now official. Griffin had a 1.62 ERA and a 77/18 K/BB in 78 innings as a starter in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants last season, thanks in large part to revamping his secondary pitches. Over his three seasons in Japan, he went 18–10 with a 2.57 ERA in 54 starts. That success and his contract should give him a chance to win a spot in the Nationals’ rotation to open the season.
Warming Bernabel

WSH 1st Baseman #25

Nationals signed 1B Warming Bernabel to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Bernabel heads to Washington after slashing an underwhelming .252/.288/.410 with four homers and just a 17 percent strikeout ratr across 146 plate appearances for the Rockies last season. The 23-year-old corner infielder represents a worthwhile low-risk gamble for the rebuilding Nationals but departing high-octane Coors Field is a hit to his fantasy upside. He’ll presumably have a chance to compete with an in-house option like Andrés Chaparro for playing time between first base and DH next season. His path to regular at-bats evaporates if the Nationals move Luis García Jr. to first base permanently.
Anirudh Kilambi

WSH General Manager

Multiple outlets report that the Nationals are hiring Anirudh Kilambi as the new general manager.

Kilambi, 31, will join the Nationals to work with new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni. Washington is leaning heavily on youth, both in their front office and in the dugout. Kilambi joins the club after serving as the assistant GM of the Phillies, and is widely respected for his work in research and development.
Luis Garcia Jr.

WSH 2nd Baseman #2

Luis García Jr. went 5-for-8 with a homer in a doubleheader for Cibao of the Dominican Winter League on Tuesday.

García was 4-for-4 in the second game before being intentionally walked by Miguel Castro in the eighth inning. The Nationals have talked about trying García at first base, but he’s only playing second in the DWL. He still might be a trade candidate with the Nationals wanting to improve their defense.
Foster Griffin

FA Relief Pitcher #60

The Nationals are signing Foster Griffin to a one-year, $5.5 million contact, according to FanSided’s Robert Murray.

He can make an extra $1 million in incentives. Griffin, 30, had a 1.62 ERA and a 77/18 K/BB in 78 innings as a starter for the Yomiuri Giants last season. A first-round pick of the Royals in 2014, he briefly pitched in the majors for Kansas City and Toronto before going to Japan in 2023. His velocity is well below average, but both his slider and cutter performed very well in the NPB. The Nationals will likely give him every opportunity to win a rotation spot.
Luis Perales

WSH Starting Pitcher #93

Nationals acquired RHP Luis Perales from the Red Sox for LHP Jake Bennett.

It’s an extremely rare prospect challenge trade as the Nationals ship out a talented southpaw on the cusp of the big leagues as a back-end starter in exchange for Perales, who boasts triple-digit velocity and sky-high upside if he stays healthy and improves his control. The flame-throwing 22-year-old righty looked sharp in the Arizona Fall League after being limited to just three appearances this season in the upper minors while recovering from last year’s Tommy John surgery. If it all comes together, Perales has the raw stuff to become a legitimate impact arm for a rebuilding Nationals club.
Jake Bennett

BOS Starting Pitcher #78

Red Sox acquired LHP Jake Bennett from the Red Sox for RHP Luis Perales.

Bennett qualifies as an interesting pickup for the Red Sox as the type of above-average extension pitching prospect their front office typically covets after posting a strong 2.27 ERA — 2.96 FIP — and 21.5 percent strikeout rate across 75 1/3 innings across three levels in Washington’s system this past season in his return from Tommy John surgery. The 25-year-old southpaw figures to arrive at Fenway Park at some point next season as a back-end rotation arm. He put together an extremely impressive performance in the Arizona Fall League earlier this offseason, piling up 25 punchouts over 20 innings of work.
Josiah Gray

WSH Starting Pitcher #40

Nationals and RHP Josiah Gray avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.35 million contract.

The 27-year-old hurler missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He made it back to make a few minor league rehab starts at the end of the season though and will be able to participate in his normal offseason routine this winter. He should be a full go when pitchers and catchers report in February. Gray will make the same $1.35 million that he took home while rehabbing in 2025.
Sandy Gaston

WSH Relief Pitcher #43

Nationals selected RHP Sandy Gaston from the Angels in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft.

Arguably the most notable selection from the minor league portion of the annual Rule 5 Draft earlier this week, Gaston re-signed with the Angels last month after posting a respectable 4.84 ERA and 89/47 K/BB ratio across 70 2/3 innings over 40 appearances last year between High-A Tri-City and Triple-A Salt Lake. The hard-throwing 23-year-old righty was one of the top pitching prospects in Tampa Bay’s system a couple years ago — receiving a $2.6 million signing bonus as one of the top arms in the 2019 international signing class — before injuries derailed his career.