Zack Littell - Page 2 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

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

Yoshinobu Yamamoto Shines as Dodgers Sweep Reds to Reach NL Division Series

Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out nine as the Dodgers eliminated the Reds to advance to the National League Division Series.

OCTOBER 2, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Yoshinobu Yamamoto shines as Dodgers sweep Reds to reach NL Division Series

Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out nine as the Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the National League Division Series

OCTOBER 2, 2025 • Associated Press

Last Night in Baseball: Shohei Ohtani Immediately Set The Pace Against the Reds

Shohei Ohtani led off a homer-filled W against the Reds, Tarik Skubal was terrifying against the Guardians, the Red Sox went up on the Yanke...

OCTOBER 1, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Last Night in Baseball: Shohei Ohtani Immediately Set The Pace Against the Reds

Dodgers try to sweep Reds in NL Wild Card Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds take the field in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series

OCTOBER 1, 2025 • Associated Press

Ohtani and Hernández power Dodgers past Reds 10-5 with 2 homers each in Wild Card Series opener

Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández hit two home runs apiece, Blake Snell struck out nine over seven strong innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Cincinnati Reds 10-5 in the...

OCTOBER 1, 2025 • Associated Press

Taking ball for Game 2 Littell will start Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Dodgers on Wednesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Littell hadn't been particularly effective down the stretch of the regular season, accruing a 4.91 ERA over 25.2 frames during his final five appearances, but he'll toe the rubber in LA for Game 2. He found success in his last start against the Dodgers on July 30, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out four across five scoreless innings.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Reds crash into postseason, set to face Dodgers in NL Wild Card Series

Cincinnati surged into the postseason on the final day of the regular season, facing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Wild Card series

SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 • Associated Press

Reds earn 1st playoff berth since 2020 as they capitalize on Mets' big fade

The Cincinnati Reds are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2020 after overtaking the New York Mets for the National League’s third and final wild card on the season’s fi...

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 • Associated Press

Inefficient in no-decision Littell came away with a no-decision in Friday's 3-1 win over the Brewers, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out three.

Impact The right-hander needed 85 pitches (55 strikes) to record 14 outs, and with the Reds in a tight race for a wild-card spot, Littell was lifted from a 1-1 tie after Jackson Chourio reached on an error in the fifth inning. Assuming Littell doesn't pitch again in the regular season, he wraps up his 2025 campaign with a career-high 10 wins, along with a 3.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 130:32 K:BB through 186.2 innings split between Cincy and Tampa Bay.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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