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Washington Nationals Make Waiver Claim to Address Pitching
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- Washington Nationals Make Waiver Claim to Address Pitching
(© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
The Washington Nationals knew the pitching staff has been struggling, and shortly after finalizing another internal roster move ahead of game three in the series against the Philadelphia Phillies , the front office pulled the trigger on another deal to shake up the pitching staff.
Former Minnesota Twins right handed pitcher Justin Lawrence has been claimed by the Nationals to add veteran experience, albeit he arrives in Washington looking to turn the page from a struggling start to the 2026 season and out of options to be sent back down to the minors.
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Lawrence arrives with an 0-3 record this season along with an 8.04 ERA and 1.89 WHIP across his time with both the Minnesota Twins and Pittsburgh Pirates this season, tossing a combined 37 strikeouts while allowing 32 hits and eight home runs across 28 innings pitched and 30 appearances this season. Lawrence ended his tenure with the Braves allowing 12 earned runs over his last four appearances to earn an inflated 18.0 ERA through the month of June.
He began his career with the Colorado Rockies before moving on to the Pittsburgh Pirates in then before making the 2026 Opening Day roster, but he would then be designated for assignment in late May before the Minnesota Twins acquired him via trade two days later.
To make room for the waiver claim, the Nationals also announced that right handed pitcher Jhancarlos Lara has been designated for assignment. Lara, 23, was acquired by the organization just 11 days ago after being designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves , leading president of baseball operations Paul Toboni to make a move just days later.
Lara was immediately optioned down to Double A without making an appearance in the majors where he arrived after showing off his power in the minors with his control the biggest question. In 15 games, Lara owns an 8.22 ERA and 2.61 WHIP with 21 strikeouts, 29 walks and 14 earned runs across just 15.1 innings so far in Double A to begin 2026. He also owns a 7.55 career ERA in three seasons of Double A, including a 6.54 ERA across 28 games in Triple A. Now, Lara will look to get a fresh start in the minors with another club as the Nationals look for answers across a pitching staff that has been tested over the last two months, even if the results have been suboptimal at best.
