Washington Nationals: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Nationals Surprisingly Option Harry Ford to Triple-A as Part of Latest Camp Cuts

The Washington Nationals have made some notable cuts to their big league camp as they get closer to Opening Day, but the one they made on March 18 might have been the most surprising.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

CJ Abrams Has Made A Major Stride At The Plate This Spring

CJ Abrams is in the midst of his 4th spring training as a Washington National, and his 6th spring training overall. The 25-year-old shortstop has certainly become accustomed to the buildup to the regular season that occurs in March, but this time around, it’s different, with an entirely new coaching staff and technology around him.

Harry Ford News / MLB Trade Rumors / March 18

Nationals Option Harry Ford

The Nationals announced today that catcher Harry Ford has been optioned to Triple-A Rochester while fellow backstop Riley Adams has been reassigned to minor league camp.

Cincinnati Reds News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Active 40-homer MLB seasons' quiz

There are 24 active MLB players with at least one 40-home run season under their belt. How many of those players can you name in five minutes?

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

The '50-HR, .300 average MLB seasons' quiz

The 'Last 200-K pitcher by MLB team' quiz

Jake Irvin News / Federal Baseball / March 18

Jake Irvin is making his case for the final spot in the Washington Nationals rotation

After the signings of Miles Mikolas and Zack Littell, four of the five spots in the Nationals rotation were filled. The two newcomers joined Foster Griffin and Cade Cavalli in the rotation.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

One storyline to follow for every MLB team in 2026

As Spring Training opens for 2026, all 30 teams have high hopes and big questions. These are the storylines to follow for each team heading into Opening Day.

Red Sox to sign former Yankees relief pitcher ahead of Opening Day

MLB announces 80-game suspension for Johan Rojas

Mets star gets help from former teammate after alleged clubhouse issues

Three comeback arms to watch in National League East

CJ Abrams News / Washington Nationals on SI / March 18

New Technology Nationals Installed Has Helped CJ Abrams in One Key Area

When Paul Toboni was hired to become the new president of baseball operations for the Washington Nationals, he had a clear mission of getting this franchise up to date when it comes to technology.

Jake Irvin News / Washington Nationals on SI / March 17

Jake Irvin Making Real Case to Be Part of Nationals Opening Day Rotation

With time ticking down until the Washington Nationals play their 2026 season opener on March 26, roster decisions will need to be finalized in the next week.

Washington Nationals News / Washington Nationals on SI / March 17

Don't Expect This Nationals Star Prospect to Debut in MLB This Year

One of the notable storylines regarding the Washington Nationals during spring training this year is how many of their young prospects got into games. That was a possibility when so many of them were extended non-roster invites to big league camp.

Dylan Crews News / Federal Baseball / March 17

Should the Washington Nationals send Dylan Crews to Triple-A to start the season?

One of the bigger storylines in the Nats fanbase is whether Dylan Crews should make the team. Even a month ago, that would have sounded a bit crazy, considering Crews seemed to have a starting job locked up.

Cade Cavalli News / Washington Nationals on SI / March 17

Cade Cavalli Has Become Key Figure Nationals Want to Build Around

Cade Cavalli is the new ace of the Washington Nationals. That became the case after MacKenzie Gore was shipped to the Texas Rangers this winter, and he'll be the Opening Day starter when the Nationals face the Chicago Cubs on March 26.

Washington Nationals News / Washington Nationals on SI / March 16

Nationals Could Have Plenty of Turnover in Their Bullpen Throughout 2026 Season

The Washington Nationals have built a stable of bullpen arms competing for final spots on the Opening Day roster this spring. That is a huge development for this franchise after they finished last year with the worst ERA in the majors as a unit.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players that could be traded during the 2026 season

The 2026 MLB season is right around the corner, and it is never too early to start thinking about how it might unfold. Seemingly, every year, we have a decent handle on who should contend and who is likely to struggle, which makes looking ahead to the trade deadline inevitable.

Washington Nationals News / Washington Nationals on SI / March 16

Insider Predicts Nationals Will Be Busy Ahead of Trade Deadline

The 2026 MLB season hasn't begun yet, but that's not stopping predictions from coming in regarding how the Washington Nationals are going to perform this year.

Washington Nationals News / Federal Baseball / March 16

What Would The Ideal Washington Nationals Opening Day Lineup Look Like?

It feels hard to believe after a long offseason that saw more change within the organization than perhaps any other in club history, but we are now 10 days away from the Nationals’ regular season kicking off at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs.

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

The 'Active multi-TD-catch NFL games' quiz

The 'MLB Rookies of the Year since 2000' quiz

The 'Active 30-point triple-doubles' quiz

The 'Most men's NCAA Tournaments' quiz

Washington Nationals News / Federal Baseball / March 16

The Washington Nationals bullpen will be much better in 2026

Last season, the Washington Nationals bullpen was an utter disaster. They posted a 5.59 ERA as a unit, which was comfortably the worst in baseball. However, I do not see that happening again.

Washington Nationals News / Washington Nationals on SI / March 16

Nationals Should Seriously Consider Starting Dylan Crews in Triple-A This Season

At the time of writing, there are 10 days until the Washington Nationals hit the road to face the Chicago Cubs on March 26 for Opening Day. Much of the roster looks set, as the Nationals have already established who their starter is going to be for that game with virtually the entire rotation set beyond that.

Washington Nationals News / Washington Nationals on SI / March 15

Nationals' Offensive Struggles in Spring Training Could Carry Over Into Season

When looking at this Washington Nationals roster on paper, the strength of the team lies within its position player group. Not only is the outfield loaded

MLB News / Washington Nationals on SI / March 15

Nationals Lose Left-Handed Reliever to Mets After Key Roster Move

The Washington Nationals have started making more cuts to their MLB spring training camp. Some top prospects and others who were expected to compete for Opening Day roster spots have either been optioned to Triple-A Rochester or have been reassigned to minor league camp.

Washington Nationals News / Federal Baseball / March 15

Should we be concerning about the Washington Nationals lack of offense this spring?

For the most part, I have liked what I have seen from the Nats during Spring Training. The pitching has been good and the vibes seem to be high. However,

Washington Nationals News / Washington Nationals on SI / March 14

Prominent Insider Believes Nationals Could Be Worst Team in MLB This Season

There is excitement surrounding this Washington Nationals franchise. Not because they are expected to compete for an NL East title or a World Series championship.

Washington Nationals News / Washington Nationals on SI / March 14

First Base Picture Becoming More Clear After Nationals Reassign Top Prospect

Trimmings to major league camp will continue to come fast and furious for the Washington Nationals as they creep closer to Opening Day on March 26. Friday

Mitchell Parker News / Washington Nationals on SI / March 14

Nationals Made Right Decision to Option Mitchell Parker to Triple-A

The Washington Nationals announced some eye-catching bit of news on Friday when they revealed that left-handed pitcher Mitchell Parker was optioned to Triple-A Rochester.

Mitchell Parker News / MLB Trade Rumors / March 13

Nationals Option Mitchell Parker

The Nationals announced Friday they’ve optioned left-handers Mitchell Parker, Andrew Alvarez and Jake Eder. That takes three pitchers, one of whom has been on the MLB roster for the last two years, out of the mix for the Opening Day rotation.

Washington Nationals News / Yardbarker / March 13