Washington Nationals News

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...

5 HOURS AGO • THEBIGLEAD.COM

When J.R. Smith was accused of being racist toward Jeremy Lin: "Wrong on many levels" J.R. Smith had to addressed the notion that he was being racist toward Jeremy Lin

10 HOURS AGO • BASKETBALLNETWORK.NET

Jacob Young - Resumes swinging bat Young (wrist) resumed swinging a bat Tuesday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Impact Young has been limited to only one Grapefruit League game this spring due to a lingering right wrist contusion. The Nationals are still viewing the outfielder as day-to-day and are focused on getting Young's wrist back to 100 percent before Opening Day. It's unclear when he might be given the green light to return to games.

12 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

MLB Spring Training Buzz: Cincinnati Reds Ace Hunter Greene Out Until July

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

12 HOURS AGO • FOX SPORTS

MLB Spring Training Buzz: Cincinnati Reds Ace Hunter Greene Out Until July

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

12 HOURS AGO • 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

13 HOURS AGO • Associated Press

Richard Lovelady - DFA'd by Washington The Nationals designated Lovelady for assignment Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Impact The left-hander was claimed off waivers by the Nationals in January but will lose his place on the 40-man roster to make room for the signing of Zack Littell. Lovelady appeared in 10 regular-season games between the Blue Jays and Mets last season, allowing 11 earned runs with a 12:6 K:BB over 11.2 frames.

13 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

This Cleveland Guardians Prospect Was Just Reassigned After an Impressive Spring Ralphy Velazquez likely knew he wouldn't make the major league roster by Opening Day. But that didn't stop him from putting up one of the mo...

14 HOURS AGO • SI.COM

This Young Nationals Arm Could Make Push for Rotation Spot The Washington Nationals made a big free agency splash over the weekend when it was reported that they agreed to a one-year major league dea...

1 DAY AGO • SI.COM

To Toboni, the Nats' future is bright - and not worth compromising WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Rebuilding a Major League team takes time. We often hear about so-called “five-year plans” when a club embarks on s...

1 DAY AGO • MLB.COM

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

1 DAY AGO • BLEACHERNATION.COM

Pirates' offseason could've been different if Jurickson Profar was suspended earlier Timing is everything. The Pirates scooped up Marcell Ozuna just weeks before spring training, and although he hasn’t quite demonstrated the...

1 DAY AGO • RUMBUNTER.COM

Concerning problem we knew was coming for the Pistons Pistons fans knew this day would cime.

1 DAY AGO • PISTONPOWERED.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

2 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Nationals in agreement on contract with ex-Reds, Rays 3.81 ERA righty veteran | Sporting News This is a nice depth rotation addition for the Nationals this spring.

2 DAYS AGO • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Zack Littell - 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.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

These Nats have spent spring in brand new spots on the diamond This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it...

2 DAYS AGO • MLB.COM

Daylen Lile - Pops first spring homer Lile went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

Impact The blast was Lile's first of the spring, coming in the seventh inning off Kai-Wei Teng. The 23-year-old had a breakout in 2025, posting an .880 OPS over 47 games in the high minors before making his big-league debut in late May and slashing .299/.347/.498 with nine homers and eight steals over 91 contests for the Nationals. Lile should see consistent playing time right out of the gate in 2026, splitting his time between DH and the outfield corners as part of a promising young outfield group in Washington that also includes James Wood and Dylan Crews.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Cade Cavalli - Dominant in Friday's start Cavalli allowed one unearned run on one hit over four innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He struck out six without walking a batter.

Impact The 27-year-old right-hander carved up a top-heavy Houston lineup that featured Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez, flashing a fastball that topped out at 98.6 mph. Cavalli has never been able to capitalize on the upside that made him a first-round pick in 2020, largely due to injuries, but he's on track to be the Opening Day starter for the rebuilding Nationals this season. Over 10 starts and 48.2 innings in 2025, Cavalli managed a 4.25 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Riley Cornelio - 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.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Luis Perales - Heading out of big-league camp The Nationals optioned Perales to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Impact Perales is still waiting to make his MLB debut, but his presence on the Nationals' 40-man roster should boost his chances of contributing for the big club at some point in 2026. The 22-year-old right-hander was limited to just three appearances in the minors in 2025 while he spent most of the season completing his recovery from his July 2024 Tommy John surgery. The Nationals will likely give him the chance to stretch out as a starter at Rochester, but if he receives a call-up to the majors later on in 2026, he could work out of the bullpen as Washington aims to manage his workload in his first full season following Tommy John surgery.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Orelvis Martinez - Dispatched to minor-league camp The Nationals reassigned Martinez to minor-league camp Sunday.

Impact Formerly a top prospect in the Blue Jays organization, Martinez has seen his stock fall dramatically since being handed an 80-game suspension for a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy shortly after he made his MLB debut in June 2024. After struggling mightily with Triple-A Buffalo last season, the Blue Jays released him in September, with the Nationals bringing him aboard on a minor-league deal shortly thereafter. Martinez didn't make enough impression in spring training to win a spot on the Nationals' Opening Day roster, but if the 24-year-old can find his swing at Triple-A Rochester in 2026, he could put himself in the mix for a call-up later on this season.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Sergio Alcántara - Removed from big-league camp The Nationals reassigned Alcantara to minor-league camp Sunday.

Impact Alcantara logged four plate appearances with the Giants last season in what was his first MLB action since 2022, but he was outrighted off the 40-man roster in July and ended up finishing the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Reno in the Nationals organization. He caught on with the Nationals on a minor-league deal in January and was given the chance to compete for a utility role in spring training but fell short in his bid for the Opening Day roster. The 29-year-old is likely to report to Triple-A Rochester to begin the upcoming season.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Warren stays sharp on mound as solid spring continues WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The four-hour-plus bus ride across the state from Tampa didn’t seem to bother Will Warren at all. The Yankees right...

3 DAYS AGO • MLB.COM

Gray's 1st-inning pickoff adds even more fuel to his comeback tank WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- There is more than just the actual pitching that Josiah Gray has missed during his comeback from Tommy John surgery...

3 DAYS AGO • MLB.COM

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MLB Spring Training Buzz: Cincinnati Reds Ace Hunter Greene Out Until July

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

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

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MLB Spring Training Buzz: Cincinnati Reds Ace Hunter Greene Out Until July

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

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