Washington Nationals: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Nationals Pipeline Report: Eli Willits, Gavin Fien Stay Red-Hot

It's been an incredible start to the year for the Washington Nationals when it comes to their pipeline. Not only have the prospects they acquired in the MacKenzie Gore deal lived up to the hype, but some of the stars already in the farm system have also taken steps forward in their careers.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Nasim Nunez’s bat has come around for the Washington Nationals in June

Nasim Nunez’s speed and defense have always been exceptional. However, for most of this season, the bat has been so bad that fans questioned whether the juice was worth the squeeze.

Washington Nationals News / MLB Trade Rumors / June 23

Nationals Shut Down DJ Herz With Flexor Muscle Strain

Nationals left-hander DJ Herz suffered a setback in his recovery from last year’s Tommy John procedure. Skipper Blake Butera told reporters (including Byron Kerr of MLB.com) that the southpaw has been pulled off his rehab assignment after suffering a flexor muscle strain.

Cam Schlittler News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most K's through 30 MLB starts' quiz

How many of the starting pitchers in the MLB Live-Ball Era (since 1920) to strike out at least 180 batters in their first 30 starts can you name in six minutes?

The 'MLB playoff debut strikeouts leaders' quiz

The 'Multiple 30/30 Club MLB seasons' quiz

The 'MLB all-time strikeout leaders' quiz

Foster Griffin News / Federal Baseball / June 23

Washington Nationals ace Foster Griffin spun yet another gem

After the game, Foster Griffin told me, “You are not done until the manager shakes your hand and says you are done”. Last night, that hand shake did not come until one out in the 8th inning.

MLB News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players most likely to be traded by the deadline

The MLB Trade Deadline has been quieter in recent years, in part due to playoff expansion, but 2026 is shaping up to be a more exciting one with several big names.

MLB News / Washington Nationals on SI / June 22

How Each Possible Result Could Affect the Nationals in Their Series Against Phillies

The Washington Nationals are coming off their first series loss since the beginning of the month after they dropped two out of three against the Tampa Bay Rays.

DJ Herz News / Washington Nationals on SI / June 22

Nationals Pitcher DJ Herz Suffers Key Injury Setback on Rehab Assignment

There was some unfortunate news for the Washington Nationals revealed on Sunday. Left-handed pitcher DJ Herz, who was scheduled to make a start for Single-A Fredericksburg as part of his rehab assignment, experienced forearm soreness following his last appearance on June 16.

Washington Nationals News / Washington Nationals on SI / June 22

Former Top Prospect Seen as 'Best Trade Bait' for Nationals Ahead of Deadline

The Washington Nationals find themselves in an interesting spot six weeks before the trade deadline. They have a record of 40-38. They entered June 22 a half-game out of the final NL Wild Card spot.

MLB News / Federal Baseball / June 22

Nationals Prepare To Do Battle With The Phillies In Perhaps Their Biggest Series In Years

In a rubber match for the series yesterday afternoon, the Nationals hung around against the Rays, taking a 3-2 lead into the 7th inning, but were unable to hold onto it, as a Jonny DeLuca 2-run blast off Orlando Ribalta in the bottom of the 7th gave the Rays a 1-run lead they would hold onto for the 4-3 win.

Washington Nationals News / Federal Baseball / June 22

Eli Willits is on the road to superstardom, but he has been raised to be ready for this

Five hours before first pitch in Wilmington on the Saturday before Father’s Day, Eli Willits sat down with me in the visiting dugout at Frawley Stadium.

MLB News / Field Level Media / June 22

Homer streaks on line when Phillies visit Nationals

CJ Abrams looks to extend his homer streak to four games when the Washington Nationals open a four-game homestand against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players who could be first-time All-Stars in 2026

Being named to the Midsummer Classic is one of the biggest honors for MLB players. These 25 players have a chance to make their first All-Star appearance in 2026 based on their first-half performances.

Washington Nationals News / Federal Baseball / June 21

Washington Nationals drop a tight game to the Rays as the bullpen cost them

The Nats got into a bullpen battle with the Rays, and inevitably that did not end well. Tampa got three scoreless innings out of their bullpen, while Gus Varland and Orlando Ribalta both faltered for the Nats.

Blake Butera News / Field Level Media / June 21

Nationals manager Blake Butera sees defense key to winning vs. Rays

The Washington Nationals will attempt to win their sixth straight road series when they face the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'No.1 NBA Draft picks' quiz

The 'Most K's through 30 MLB starts' quiz

The 'College World Series winners' quiz

The 'NBA assist champions' quiz

MLB News / Field Level Media / June 20

Nationals deliver rare victory over Rays

Andres Chaparro dribbled in the tiebreaking run, Washington's bullpen finished with 6 1/3 strong innings, and the Nationals won 4-3 over Tampa Bay to even their series with the Rays on Saturday afternoon in St.

Washington Nationals News / Washington Nationals on SI / June 20

Nationals Seen as Best Trade Deadline Fits for Three Notable Starting Pitchers

The Washington Nationals are firmly in the postseason picture during the latter stages of June. That is a surprising development for a lot of people around the baseball world, as this team was expected to be one of the worst in baseball and clear sellers ahead of the 2026 trade deadline.

Dylan Crews News / Athlon Sports / June 20

Dylan Crews Is Chasing Too Much and Making the Best Contact of His Career. Both Things Are True.

Dylan Crews is an interesting case in the fantasy baseball world, where his final fantasy verdict varies depending on which number you look at. His surface stats scream at owners to drop him from their rosters.

Washington Nationals News / Federal Baseball / June 20

Which College Bat Stands Out Above The Rest For The Nationals?

We are roughly 3 weeks away from the 2026 MLB Draft, where, after being locked out of the top 9 picks of the draft like they were in 2024, the Nationals will be picking 11th overall, with picks 42nd, 78th, and 106th overall coming on the rest of day one as well.

Shinnosuke Ogasawara News / MLB Trade Rumors / June 18

Shinnosuke Ogasawara Signs With NPB’s Yomiuri Giants

Left-hander Shinnosuke Ogasawara officially signed with the Yomiuri Giants of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball on Thursday. He’d been in Double-A with the Nationals but was granted his release on Monday.

CJ Abrams News / MLB on ClutchPoints / June 18

Braves’ perfect trade offer for Nationals’ CJ Abrams

The injury news has piled up for the Atlanta Braves in the lineup and also on the mound. Therefore, a deal might be in the offing. And here is the Braves’ perfect trade offer for the Nationals’ CJ Abrams.

Julian Fernandez News / MLB on ClutchPoints / June 18

Nationals release former Dodgers pitcher

The Washington Nationals released right-handed pitcher Julian Fernandez Wednesday after he cleared waivers, following his designation for assignment last week and removal from the 40-man roster.

CJ Abrams News / MLB on ClutchPoints / June 18

Blue Jays’ perfect trade offer for Nationals’ CJ Abrams

The Toronto Blue Jays have quietly worked their way back into the American League postseason conversation, making it fair to wonder whether a major move could come before the trade deadline.

Washington Nationals News / MLB Trade Rumors / June 17

Nationals Release Julian Fernández

The Nationals announced Wednesday that they’ve requested unconditional release waivers on righty Julian Fernández, whom they’d designated for assignment last week.

Washington Nationals News / Athlon Sports / June 16

Nationals Top Prospect Showing No Signs of Slowing Down

The Washington Nationals had high expectations for Eli Willits when they selected him with the first overall pick in last year's MLB Draft. Nearly a year later, Willits has exceeded those expectations.

MLB News / Yardbarker / June 15

Dodgers' Mookie Betts earning All-Star votes despite struggles

When it comes to Mookie Betts' actual production so far during the 2026 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop is enduring the worst year of his career.

Mookie Betts blows Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s perfect game in unbelievable fashion

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani eases knee concerns with leadoff HR vs. White Sox

White Sox notch first series victory over Dodgers since 2014 with comeback win

Yankees might have a strong competitor for Aroldis Chapman

The 'MLB playoffs all-time hit leaders' quiz

Foster Griffin News / Yardbarker / June 9

Why Nationals' Foster Griffin merits Rookie of Year consideration

Since returning from Japan and signing with the Washington Nationals this offseason, left-hander Foster Griffin has been worth every penny.

How Mets' schedule could impact if they become sellers ahead of trade deadline

Mets' Kodai Senga problem not going away

The 'Last 30-HR season by MLB team' quiz

James Wood News / Just Baseball / June 8

James Wood Has Become the Offensive Anchor the Nationals Needed

For the better part of the past several seasons, the Washington Nationals have been searching for the foundational pieces of their next competitive roster.