Riley Cornelio - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Sent down Sunday Cornelio was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Impact Cornelio will return to Triple-A after being called up June 29. The right-hander posted a 4.63 ERA and 1.80 WHIP with 16 strikeouts over 11.2 innings in eight appearances in his second stint with the major-league roster this season, and he will now have to wait for his next shot with the Nationals. The move makes room for right-handed reliever Yovanny Cruz in the big-league bullpen after Washington acquired him and three other minor-league right-handers in return for Luis Garcia on Sunday.

AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE

Abrams and Wood each hit 2 homers as Nationals outslug Diamondbacks in 10-7 victory

CJ Abrams and James Wood both homered twice and drove in three runs as the Washington Nationals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-7 to take two of three games in their weekend serie...

JULY 26 • Associated Press

Collects first big-league win Cornelio (1-1) picked up the win Monday, walking two batters over 1.2 no-hit, scoreless relief innings in a victory over the Rockies. He didn't record a strikeout.

Impact It was the 26-year-old's first career win in his eighth appearance. Control continues to elude Cornelio for the most part, as he has a 17:15 K:BB through 16.1 innings with a 6.06 ERA and 1.90 WHIP, and he'll remain in a low-leverage role as long as that continues.

JULY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Chapparo, Young and Abrams homer in Nationals' 7-3 win over Rockies

Andrés Chaparro, Jacob Young and CJ Abrams homered to lead the Washington Nationals past the Colorado Rockies 7-3

JULY 21 • Associated Press

Andrés Chaparro racks up 8 RBIs as Nationals hand A's their 10th straight loss with 23-4 rout

Andrés Chaparro went 4 for 5 with two home runs and eight RBIs as the Washington Nationals handed the Athletics their 10th straight defeat in a 23-4 romp

JULY 18 • Associated Press

Ashcraft wins 4th straight start as Pirates topple Nationals 7-1

Braxton Ashcraft won his fourth consecutive start and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Washington Nationals 7-1

JULY 4 • Associated Press

Back in big leagues The Nationals recalled Cornelio from Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

Impact Cornelio has been shaky in three appearances for the Nationals this season, logging a 6.48 ERA and 4:9 K:BB over 8.1 innings. Though most of the 26-year-old's pro experience is as a starting pitcher, he pitched in a relief role with Rochester after being sent down by the Nationals earlier this month, and he appears ticketed for the bullpen during this stint in the majors.

JUNE 29 • ROTOWIRE

Dispatched to Rochester The Nationals optioned Cornelio to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Impact Cornelio will head back to the minors after allowing four earned runs in 6.1 innings across his two appearances since joining the big club Sunday. He now owns a 6.48 ERA and 1.92 WHIP with the Nationals but remains an option to make a spot start or provide length out of the bullpen later this summer.

JUNE 13 • ROTOWIRE

Nationals Want Riley Cornelio to Become Long-Term Fixture in Their Bullpen Entering Tuesday's slate of games, the Washington Nationals ranked No. 23 in team ERA at 4.58. That is a massive improvement compared to whe...

JUNE 9 • SI.COM

Back with Washington The Nationals recalled Cornelio from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Impact Cornelio will make his way back up to the big-league club after being demoted to Rochester on April 24. In Triple-A, the 26-year-old posted a 4.87 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 64:26 K:BB in 44.1 innings. The right-hander will replace Cole Henry on the active roster and the Washington bullpen.

JUNE 7 • ROTOWIRE

Nasim Nunez drives in 4, Washington Nationals beat the Chicago White Sox 6-3 in 10 innings

Nasim Nunez drove in four runs, including two in the top of the 10th inning, as the Washington Nationals beat the Chicago White Sox 6-3

APRIL 25 • Associated Press

Sent back to Rochester The Nationals optioned Cornelio to Triple-A Rochester after Friday's game against the White Sox.

Impact Cornelio made his MLB debut Friday against the Pale Hose, giving up three runs (two earned) on two hits and four walks while striking out one batter over two innings. He'll now be sent back to the minors but could return to Washington later in the year to make a spot start or provide length out of the bullpen.

APRIL 25 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled to big leagues The Nationals recalled Cornelio from Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Impact Cornelio earned his first promotion to the big leagues after putting up a 2.45 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB through 18.1 innings with Rochester. The right-hander will likely be broken in as a long reliever, but given the lackluster performance of the Nationals' rotation, Cornelio could earn some starts if he pitches well.

APRIL 24 • ROTOWIRE

Set for promotion The Nationals are expected to recall Cornelio from Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Impact Cornelio has gotten off to a strong start with Rochester this season, posting a 2.45 ERA and 1.05 WHIP alongside a 27:8 K:BB through 18.1 innings (four starts). His performance will now buy him an opportunity in the big leagues, where he is likely to work out of Washington's bullpen in a long-relief role. He'll be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game.

APRIL 23 • ROTOWIRE

Sent out of big-league camp The Nationals optioned Cornelio to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Impact Cornelio impressed in his limited Grapefruit League action with a 7:0 BB:K while holding batters to a .176 average over five innings, but having minor-league options remaining may have worked against him in his bid for a spot on the Nationals' Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old righty is likely to remain on a starter's development track at Rochester, though his poor command and lack of a deep arsenal could make him a better fit in the bullpen once he eventually reaches the big leagues.

MARCH 8 • ROTOWIRE

Q&A: Riley Cornelio talks upbringing, jersey numbers, favorite food Right-hander Riley Cornelio quickly climbed through the Nationals’ farm system last season, rising from High-A to Double-A to Triple-A durin...

FEBRUARY 28 • MLB.COM

Could make Opening Day roster Cornelio will be in the mix for a spot on the 26-man roster this spring, either in the bullpen or at the back of the rotation, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Impact The Nationals' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2025 began 2025 at High-A Wilmington and finished the year with eight starts for Triple-A Rochester, posting a 38:13 K:BB in 35.1 innings. Cornelio saw a big spike in his fastball velocity last season, touching 97-98 mph but having difficulty sustaining that heat deeper into games, and his slider has flashed plus. The 25-year-old right-hander got added to the 40-man roster this offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, and he could follow the same path that Brad Lord did in 2025, beginning the season in short relief before getting stretched out for a rotation or swingman role. Given the Nats' muddled closer picture, Cornelio could also work his way into a high-leverage role if his fastball plays up in shorter bursts and his slider becomes more consistent.

FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

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Abrams and Wood each hit 2 homers as Nationals outslug Diamondbacks in 10-7 victory

Chapparo, Young and Abrams homer in Nationals' 7-3 win over Rockies

Andrés Chaparro racks up 8 RBIs as Nationals hand A's their 10th straight loss with 23-4 rout

Ashcraft wins 4th straight start as Pirates topple Nationals 7-1

Nasim Nunez drives in 4, Washington Nationals beat the Chicago White Sox 6-3 in 10 innings