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Nationals Announce New Round of Roster Moves Among Pitchers
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- Nationals Announce New Round of Roster Moves Among Pitchers
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After turning just six hits into one run in Saturday's loss, the Washington Nationals will look to secure the rubber match against Pittsburgh where they're 9-4 so far in 2026. Yet Washington will also take the field with a slightly tweaked pitching staff after announcing a trio of moves on Saturday afternoon.
Former Athletics left handed pitcher Matt Krook was claimed off waivers to give him a fresh start that he will welcome after a rough start to the season. In 2026, Crooks owns a 17.18 ERA and 2.73 WHIP while tossing just five strikeouts to seven earned runs allowed in only 3.2 innings pitched.
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Krook, 31, appeared in five games and allowed all seven runs, including one home run, over his last three appearances spanning just 1.1 innings and 86 pitches.
The Nationals also optioned right handed pitcher Zak Kent to Triple A Rochester. Kent last appeared over the final two innings of Friday's win where he allowed four earned runs and seven hits in the ninth inning to cut the Nationals' blowout lead in half, marking a tough stretch to an encouraging run.
Kent, 28, appeared in three games through June where he allowed just one hit across three innings, totaling three strikeouts and a pair of walks, while he ends his time with the organization with a 6.28 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in 14.1 innings and ten total games. He arrived in the organization back on May 4 after being claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins .
Washington also announced that right handed relief pitcher Andre Granillo has also been designated for assignment.
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Granillo, 26, last appeared in a game back on May 5 when he allowed four hits and four earned runs across 33 pitches and just two innings in an eventual 11-3 blowout loss at home. In 2026, Granillo owns a 9.64 ERA and 2.25 WHIP across eight total appearances with just three strikeouts against eight walks and 13 hits allowed.
The former 14th round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft arrived in Washington back in February after the Nationals dealt right handed pitcher George Soriano to the St. Louis Cardinals in a one-for-one move, but his concerns extended from St. Louis to Washington. After ending his tenure as a Cardinal with a 10.3% walk rate, Granillo ended his time as a National with a lowly 0.4 strikeout-to-walk rate in what proved to be a lackluster stint.
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