Zack Littell - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Littell taken deep twice more, but Schultz saves 'pen with 3 solid innings WASHINGTON -- It was a perfect storm of destiny for the Nationals. Zack Littell entered Friday’s series opener against the Giants tied with...

1 DAY AGO • MLB.COM

Lit up by San Francisco Littell (0-2) took the loss against the Giants on Friday, allowing eight runs on 11 hits and one walk while striking out four across four innings.

Impact It was another tough outing for Littell, who has given up two home runs or more in three of his first four starts of the season. Six of the eight runs he yielded Friday came in the third inning, highlighted by three-run homer from Heliot Ramos, and Littell was dinged for two more runs in the fourth, including a solo shot from Drew Gilbert. Littell has posted a sub-4.00 ERA in each of the last two seasons, but he's opened 2026 with a 7.11 ERA and 1.74 WHIP over 19 innings. He's slated to start next week at home against Atlanta.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ramos hits 3-run homer, Webb works six innings as the Giants beat the Nationals 10-5

Heliot Ramos hit a three-run homer, Logan Webb struck out six in six solid innings and the San Francisco Giants beat the Washington Nationals 10-5 on Friday night

1 DAY AGO • Associated Press

Nationals start 3-game series at home against the Giants

The Washington Nationals host the San Francisco Giants to start a three-game series

2 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

James Wood singles to score automatic runner in the 10th, Nationals beat Pirates 8-7

James Wood singled to score automatic runner Jorbit Vivas in the 10th inning and the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-7

3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Allows three homers in no-decision Littell didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Brewers, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out three in five innings of work.

Impact Littel had a solid outing Sunday, but he made three mistakes that the Brewers punished for solo home runs that cost him a chance at a win. The good news is that those were the only three runs he surrendered in the game as he was sharp and efficient otherwise, working through five innings in just 71 pitches. That brings his season ERA up to 4.20 with a 1.40 WHIP, 10 strikeouts and five walks in 15.0 innings pitched. Regardless, home runs have been an early problem for the right-hander, who has now allowed five on the season so far.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Nationals reliever Ken Waldichuk leaves game vs. Brewers after hurting his arm on pitch

Washington Nationals left-hander Ken Waldichuk departed after hurting his arm while throwing a pitch in the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday

APRIL 12 • Associated Press

Fans six in first start Littell didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on four hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out six.

Impact Littell coughed up three runs to the Phillies in first appearance of the season as a reliever, but he showed improvement as a starter Monday. The right-hander yielded a lone extra-base hit but was able to throw only 70 pitches, the latter of which is likely because he didn't sign with the Nationals until early March. Littell tentatively lines up to face the Brewers in his next scheduled start over the weekend, and he'll be hoping to further stretch himself out.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Wood, House and Abrams homer in 8th as Nationals rally for 9-6 win over Cardinals

James Wood, Brady House and CJ Abrams homered during a six-run eighth inning, and the Washington Nationals rallied for a 9-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals

APRIL 7 • Associated Press

Making first start Monday Littell is slated to start Monday's game against the Cardinals in Washington.

Impact Perhaps in an effort to manage Littell's workload after his late signing in spring training, the Nationals used the right-hander in bulk relief behind an opener in his team debut last Tuesday in Philadelphia. Littell covered five innings and 75 pitches in that appearance, so he should now be stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload Monday versus St. Louis.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE

Stuck with loss in Nats debut Littell (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over five innings of relief as the Nationals were downed 3-2 by the Phillies. He struck out one.

Impact After PJ Poulin worked a scoreless first inning as the opener, Littell took the mound and lasted 75 pitches (53 strikes) while serving up solo shots to Kyle Schwarber in the third inning and Adolis Garcia in the fourth. Littell didn't sign with the Nats until early March, so Tuesday's usage likely has more to do with the fact that the right-hander wasn't quite stretched out yet, rather than being a sign that he'll be used as a primary pitcher behind an opener on a regular basis. Littell is expected to make his next appearance at home early next week against the Cardinals.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Painter wins MLB debut with 8 Ks, Schwarber homers as Phillies beat Nationals 3-2

Andrew Painter dominated in his major league debut as the Phillies beat the Nationals 3-2

APRIL 1 • Associated Press

Could work in bulk relief Tuesday Littell is a candidate to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher PJ Poulin in Tuesday's game in Philadelphia, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Impact According to Nusbaum, manager Blake Butera merely grinned and said, "Poulin's starting," when asked if Littell would be involved in the Nationals' pitching plan for Tuesday, but all signs point to the right-hander making his Washington debut. After signing with Washington late in spring training, Littell built up to 2.2 innings and 64 pitches in his final Grapefruit League outing, so he likely would have been under a bit of a workload restriction if the Nationals had elected to use him as a traditional starter Tuesday. He should eventually move into the rotation once he's fully stretched out.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

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.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

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...

MARCH 10 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Nationals cut ties with former Blue Jays, Mets reliever for Zack Littell reason | Sporting News The Nationals are making a change.

MARCH 10 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Right-hander Zack Littell and Washington Nationals finalize $7 million, 1-year contract

Right-hander Zack Littell and the Washington Nationals have finalized a $7 million, one-year contract

MARCH 10 • Associated Press

Washington Nationals Reportedly Signing Righty Zack Littell It took a while, but Zack Littell has finally signed.

MARCH 9 • BLEACHERNATION.COM

RHP Zack Littell agrees to 1-year contract with the Washington Nationals, AP source says

Zack Littell has a new home after agreeing to a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals

MARCH 8 • Associated Press

Links up with Nationals Littell agreed to a contract with the Nationals on Sunday, Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The right-hander produced a 3.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 130:32 K:BB across 186.2 regular-season innings between the Rays and Reds last season, but he was unable to secure a contract for 2026 until well after the start of spring training. There's now less than three weeks until Opening Day, so Littell doesn't have a ton of time to get built up for the start of the season. Once ready to go, the 30-year-old Littell should step in as Washington's staff ace with Cade Cavalli and Josiah Gray otherwise positioned at the top of the rotation.

MARCH 8 • ROTOWIRE

Nationals sign 30-year-old right-hander, ending free agency suspense Zack Littell's free agency suspense ended when the right-hander reportedly agreed to terms with the Washginton Nationals. Kiley McDaniel and...

MARCH 8 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Angels don't need Zac Gallen with this low cost pitching solution still on the market The Angels have been loosely linked to Zac Gallen this offseason, but former Rays an Reds pitcher Zack Littell is a better fit.

FEBRUARY 13 • HALOHANGOUT.COM

What’s Next: Reds Reunite With Eugenio Suárez As Mariners Add An All-Star

Four years after getting traded from the Reds to the Mariners, Eugenio Suárez is now going from Seattle back to Cincinnati.

FEBRUARY 2 • FOX SPORTS

What’s Next: Reds Reunite With Eugenio Suárez As Mariners Add An All-Star

Zack Littell? Harrison Bader? Utility Player? 3 MLB Free Agents Astros Should Sign

The Astros missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016; they need to act. Here are three MLB free agents Houston should add.

DECEMBER 27, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Zack Littell? Harrison Bader? Utility Player? 3 MLB Free Agents Astros Should Sign

Takes loss in elimination game Littell took the loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series. He allowed three runs on six hits while striking out two without a walk over 3....

Impact The Reds staked Littell to a two-run lead before he took the mound, but he ultimately gave the lead back with three runs allowed over the third and fourth innings. Littell was lifted after 52 pitches -- an understandably quick hook from manager Terry Francona with the season on the line. Littell served up 36 home runs during the regular season, second most in the majors, but he nonetheless managed a highly respectable 3.81 and 1.10 WHIP over 186.2 innings between Tampa Bay and Cincinnati. The soon-to-be 30-year-old is a free agent this winter.

OCTOBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

ZACK LITTELL NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES