Washington Nationals News

Connelly Early, acquired from Boston for Curtis Mead in July, returned from injury for a three-inning, one-hit, no-walk start vs. the Mets. He finished with a 3.33 ERA, and he's pegged as a 2027 mid-rotation piece. 🔧

Connelly Early will be an integral part of the Washington Nationals rotation in 2027

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Award season is here: Daylen Lile is a first-time Gold Glove nominee in left field (Sunday), after improving his OAA to +1 from -8. James Wood and CJ Abrams ranked second at their positions in slugging, and Jarlin Susana is dominating the AFL. 🏆

Important Nats dates for offseason awards, Hot Stove and more

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Seven years ago, the 2019 Nationals clinched their first World Series title when Daniel Hudson struck out Michael Brantley in Game 7. Howie Kendrick's 7th-inning clang off the foul pole flipped it, after Rendon's homer. Never out of a game. 🏆

Remembering the Washington Nationals 2019 World Series title seven years later

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Jarlin Susana, the Nationals' No. 4 prospect, owns the 34 fastest pitches in the 2026 Arizona Fall League, topping out at 103.8 mph. His slider grades even higher, which is a little unfair. 🔥

Jarlin Susana just dominated the Arizona Fall League with his second-best pitch

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Nationals claimed righty Braxton Roxby off waivers from the Giants and designated Zak Kent for assignment. Roxby, who debuted in 2026, has three option years left and joins a wide-open bullpen mix for 2027. Kent had a 5.51 ERA in 16 1/3 innings. 🔄

Nationals Claim Braxton Roxby, Designate Zak Kent

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In a bullpen that set the record for blown saves, Orlando Ribalta (3.77 ERA, 42 K in 43 IP, a knack for escaping bases-loaded jams) and Brad Lord (multi-inning workhorse, 3.55 ERA after Aug. 1) were the steadiest arms. Not stars, but useful. 🔧

Brad Lord and Orlando Ribalta were the Washington Nationals steadiest relievers in 2026

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Nationals enter the offseason with 45 players on the 40-man (including 60-day IL) and no free agents, so GM Paul Toboni faces a crunch. Sykora and Susana are must-protect Rule 5 names, and double-digit changes could come before Dec. 2. 🧹

Examining the state of the Washington Nationals 40-man roster entering the offseason

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Nationals breakout watch for 2027: first baseman Abimelec Ortiz (five homers, .188 after his late-season call-up) and lefty Connelly Early are named, plus a reliever. The pitch: young talent to help Cavalli, Abrams and Wood end the playoff drought. 📈

3 Washington Nationals players poised to break out in 2027

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Jake Irvin's 2027 future is a tender decision: he's projected at about $3.4M in arbitration after back-to-back ERAs over 5 (5.48 in 2026). The writer sees a bullpen fit, not a rotation one, and calls him surplus. 🤔

Will Jake Irvin be on the Washington Nationals in 2027?

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Former Nationals GM Mike Rizzo reportedly interviewed with the Astros for their vacant GM job, per Bob Nightengale. Houston has been without a GM since parting ways with Dana Brown in August. Nothing is final; Rizzo is a candidate, not the hire. 🔍

Astros interviewing long-maligned former Nationals GM for front office vacancy

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Andrew Alvarez made his case for the Nats' 2027 rotation: 3.43 ERA over 17 starts, a 2.97 second-half ERA, and a 56 2/3-inning homer-free streak. Paul Toboni expects "high-quality innings" next year. Strike-throwing remains the homework. 📝

How Alvarez made his case for Nats’ 2027 starting rotation

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Former Nationals GM Mike Rizzo is reportedly interviewing today for the Astros' open GM job, per Bob Nightengale and Brian McTaggart. Fired by Washington in July 2025, he'd be back at the shared West Palm Beach spring site, facing the club he beat in 2019. ⚾

Former Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo getting interviewed by the Astros

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The Nationals are expected to hire David Besky, most recently the Red Sox's director of baseball sciences, as pitching strategist, per the Baltimore Banner. He'd handle pitch calling and arsenal analysis, and reunite with Paul Toboni. A new data arm for the staff. 📊

Nationals To Hire David Besky As Pitching Strategist

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A writer floats David Peterson, Kris Bubic and Kyle Hart as under-the-radar free-agent arms the Nationals could target. Peterson might cost around 3 years/$33M, Bubic likely needs a one-year deal given his injuries, and Hart is a cheap lefty bullpen option if the Padres decline his option. 🎯

Three under the radar free agent pitchers I like for the Washington Nationals

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Nationals righty Jarlin Susana, the AFL's only Top 100 pitcher (No. 66), owns the league's fastest pitch at 103.8 mph and the 34 hardest heaters, averaging 100.6 mph. Jorgelys Mota's 114.2 mph homer ranks fourth in exit velo. 🔥

118.2 mph exit velo! 103.8 mph fastball! These are the Arizona Fall League statcast leaders

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A free-agent pitch: Adrian Morejon, the lefty reliever (2.83 ERA, 99.4 mph fastball), could fix a 2026 Nationals bullpen that bordered on unwatchable. Spotrac projects about 3 years, $35M, and he could be sold on a closer role. 🔒

Adrian Morejon is the bullpen addition the Washington Nationals desperately need

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Nearly 7 years after the 2019 World Series title, none of the Game 7 starters remain Nationals players. Most are retired or coaching, and only Turner, Soto and Robles played in 2026. Zimmerman still has a hand in the organization. 🏆

Where are the starters from the Washington Nationals World Series winning team now?

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Nationals catchers jumped from last in fWAR in 2025 to 17th in 2026 under the new coaching staff. Keibert Ruiz led the rebound, hitting .280/.316/.443 with a 105 wRC+ and 1.9 fWAR. Playing time for 2027 is the question. 🎯

What To Make Of The Washington Nationals Catching Unit

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Offseason calendar is set: free agency opens the day after the World Series ends (Oct. 28–Nov. 1), with a 5-day exclusive window for current teams. Nationals fans should also watch trade deadlines and a looming lockout. ⏳

Important dates for Nationals fans to know in the 2026-27 MLB offseason

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