Washington Nationals News

James Wood - Struggling at plate this spring Wood went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

Impact The young slugger also struck out in the fourth inning against Carl Edwards, his ninth K in 29 plate appearances this spring to go along with a .083 batting average (2-for-24). However, Wood has drawn five free passes, and a poor showing in a small sample during March isn't cause for much alarm. Wood is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he launched 31 homers with 94 RBI and 15 steals over 157 games while slashing .256/.350/.475.

9 MINS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Zack Littell - Works three frames in spring debut Littell allowed one run on three hits over three innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out two without walking a batter.

Impact Facing a split-squad lineup headlined by younger players like Brett Baty and top prospect Carson Benge, Littell tossed 28 of 39 pitches for strikes in his first spring start since signing a one-year deal with the Nationals on March 8. The veteran right-hander should be able to make two more starts prior to Opening Day, which likely won't be enough time to get fully built up, but Littell would likely be stretched out enough to factor into Washington's first turn through the rotation. If he needs to be held back, Brad Lord appears to be the most likely candidate to make a spot start in his place. Over a career-high 186.1 innings in 2025 between the Rays and Reds, Littell posted a 3.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 130:32 K:BB.

13 MINS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Yohandy Morales - Sent to minor-league camp The Nationals reassigned Morales to minor-league camp Saturday.

Impact Morales struggled to make an impression during spring training, going 1-for-17 with seven strikeouts across 11 games with the Nationals. He spent the majority of the 2025 season in Triple-A Rochester and will likely do the same this year, though he could make his major-league debut in 2026 if the Nationals require depth at first base. Morales slashed .249/.330/.401 with five steals, 11 home runs and 49 RBI over 433 plate appearances in Triple-A last year.

50 MINS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Clayton Kershaw's scheduled WBC exit has Dodgers fans wondering what the point was Mark DeRosa confirmed that Clayton Kershaw will leave Team USA after the quarterfinal vs. Canada.

16 HOURS AGO • DODGERSWAY.COM

Tim Thomas explains why Allen Iverson was the biggest competitor he played with: "He was a small dude, but he would constantly keep getting up" Thomas considers A.I. the ultimate competitor.

16 HOURS AGO • BASKETBALLNETWORK.NET

Nats' rotation updates: Parker optioned, Littell debuts and more WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Between roster moves, a Spring Training debut and a significant step in Tommy John recovery, the Nationals' startin...

17 HOURS AGO • MLB.COM

DJ Herz - Back on mound Friday Herz (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Impact It's the first time the left-hander has thrown from the bump since he underwent Tommy John surgery last April. Herz has already been placed on the 60-day injured list, and given where he is in his throwing program, a return around midseason is probably a best-case scenario.

19 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Mitchell Parker - Sent packing to Triple-A The Nationals optioned Parker to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Impact Parker lost his spot in the Nationals' rotation last season and didn't do enough this spring to get it back, collecting an uninspiring 3:5 K:BB over 3.2 innings during Grapefruit League action. The left-hander should open the season in the rotation at Rochester as he awaits another opportunity with the big club.

20 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jake Eder - Sent to minors The Nationals optioned Eder to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Impact Eder has pitched 6.2 frames this spring in Grapefruit League play, yielding four runs (two earned) with a 6:6 K:BB. The left-hander will likely be part of Rochester's rotation to begin the season, but all nine of his big-league appearances have been out of the bullpen. He could fill either role with the Nationals when called upon.

20 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Andrew Alvarez - Optioned to Triple-A The Nationals optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Impact While Alvarez was technically in the running for a spot in the Nationals' rotation, it's been likely from the jump that he would begin the year at Rochester. The southpaw has pitched well this spring, allowing two runs with an 11:5 K:BB over nine innings. Alvarez remains a good bet to make some starts for the Nationals this season.

20 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

MLB Spring Training Buzz: Brewers RHP Quinn Priester To Miss At Least April

Notable news, notes and buzz with MLB spring training ramping up ahead of the World Baseball Classic and Opening Day.

22 HOURS AGO • FOX SPORTS

MLB Spring Training Buzz: Brewers RHP Quinn Priester To Miss At Least April

Ken Waldichuk - Making case for roster spot Waldichuk gave up two hits and struck out six without walking anyone over 2.2 scoreless innings of relief in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

Impact The 28-year-old southpaw still got to face some quality big-league hitters after he entered the game to begin the bottom of the fifth inning -- he struck out Yainer Diaz and Christian Walker back-to-back in the sixth -- and Waldichuk built up to 41 pitches (28 strikes) before exiting. Waldichuk was once a promising Yankees prospect many years and injuries ago, and after being a waiver claim by the Nationals in early February, he's posted a 1.35 ERA and 8:3 K:BB over 6.2 spring frames. Washington's Opening Day rotation seems set after the Zack Littell signing, but Waldichuk might be putting himself forward as a long relief candidate in the big-league bullpen. More likely, he'll be optioned to Triple-A Rochester and stay stretched out to be on call in case injuries hit the starting staff.

23 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Andrés Chaparro - Still in running for starting job Chaparro went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

Impact The 26-year-old took Tom Cosgrove deep in the fifth inning, giving Chaparro his second homer of the spring. He hasn't exactly impressed in camp, batting .263 (5-for-19) over 10 appearances, but his main competition for the starting job at first base, prospect Abimelec Ortiz, has gone just 2-for-16 with six strikeouts. The biggest threat to Chaparro's job security this season might actually come from Luis Garcia, if the Nationals decide they can no longer live with his glove at second base. Chaparro will also need to improve his own performance to stick around -- in 205 career big-league plate appearances, he's managed just a .203/.268/.358 slash line with five homers.

23 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

"If that was Jayson Tatum, they don't eject him" - Stephen A. says Jaylen Brown's ejection proves he gets no respect in the NBA Stephen A. says JB isn't officiated like other superstars.

1 DAY AGO • BASKETBALLNETWORK.NET

'A phenomenal teammate': Nats reflect on Espino's 20-year pro career WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – From 2020-23, Paolo Espino eagerly said “yes” to taking the ball in various roles for the Nationals. Starter, long r...

1 DAY AGO • MLB.COM

Role of Brad Lord Is in Question After Nationals Bolstered Their Starting Rotation All of a sudden, the Washington Nationals have a crowded starting pitching unit. That was not something that could have been said entering t...

1 DAY AGO • SI.COM

Boyd named Cubs' Opening Day starter Back from the World Baseball Classic, Matthew Boyd on Thursday was named the Opening Day starter for the Cubs on March 26, when they'll face...

1 DAY AGO • MLB.COM

Clayton Beeter - Fans three in spring game Beeter struck out three batters and walked one during his lone inning of work in Tuesday's Grapefruit League win over the Marlins.

Impact After being traded from the Bronx to Washington last season, Beeter turned in a 2.49 ERA and 1.02 WHIP to go with a 32:14 K:BB over 21.2 innings. He's followed up his impressive start with the Nats by tossing three scoreless frames in spring training, collecting five strikeouts in the process. The Nationals entered spring camp without an obvious choice to handle the ninth inning, but the 27-year-old righty seems like a strong contender to close games based on his recent body of work.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Hall of Fame makes unprecedented decision about Cubs/Expos legend Andre Dawson The Montreal Expos were erased from the Major League Baseball landscape when the franchise relocated to Washington, D.C. for the 2005 sason....

2 DAYS AGO • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Thibaut Courtois: "This was one of our best games this year" He spoke after a 3-0 win over Manchester City

2 DAYS AGO • MANAGINGMADRID.COM

Conflict to delay Dodgers' White House visit until after Nationals series: report The Dodgers won't visit the White House in April, when they are in Washington D.C. to play the Nationals, according to a new report. MORE: D...

2 DAYS AGO • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Nats reward Cavalli with first Opening Day start The Nationals announced right-hander Cade Cavalli will be the club's Opening Day starter against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on March 26. This...

3 DAYS AGO • MLB.COM

Cade Cavalli - Draws Opening Day start The Nationals named Cavalli their Opening Day starter Wednesday.

Impact Injuries forced Cavalli to wait nearly three years in between major-league appearances, but he showed promise in his 10 starts with the Nationals in 2025 with a 4.25 ERA and 40:15 K:BB over 48.2 innings. The 27-year-old sported better velocity last season than he showed prior to Tommy John surgery and has some breakout potential in 2026. Cavalli will take on the Cubs at Wrigley Field on March 26.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

"Bam's 83 makes Sosa and McGwire look legit" - Whitlock says Adebayo's historic game was embarrassing Whitlock compared Bam's 83-point game to MLB's PED-tainted home run records.

3 DAYS AGO • BASKETBALLNETWORK.NET

Former Blue Jays, Mets pitcher cut after only four spring training games On the same day they announced the previously reported signing of pitcher Zack Littell, the Washington Nationals announced they designated l...

3 DAYS AGO • THEBIGLEAD.COM

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