Washington Nationals: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Nationals' long-term answer at closer may be working his way back

The Nationals have one glaring Achilles' heel: the bullpen.

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What bullpen options do the Washington Nationals have on the farm?

In case your head has been under a rock lately, you would know that the Nationals bullpen is god awful. It feels like we are at the point where Paul Toboni needs to just throw stuff at the wall and hope something sticks.

Washington Nationals News / Federal Baseball / June 26

The Washington Nationals bullpen did it again

After a third straight bullpen meltdown, we saw a different side of Blake Butera. His answers were short and to the point. He was asked about what went wrong with the bullpen, and he simply said “they did not throw strikes and didn’t execute” and when he was asked about his takeaway from the game today, he simply said “our bullpen”.

CJ Abrams News / Washington Nationals on SI / June 25

Nationals Slugger CJ Abrams Now Has Chance to Start 2026 All-Star Game

Based on how good CJ Abrams has been to start this season, it seemed like a given that the Washington Nationals star shortstop would be competing in the Midsummer Classic this year.

Corey Seager News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'MLB playoff HR leaders' quiz

In the history of MLB, 31 players have hit 13 or more home runs in the postseason over the course of their careers. How many can you name in six minutes?

The 'MLB active HR leaders' quiz

The 'Multiple 30/30 Club MLB seasons' quiz

The 'MLB all-time strikeout leaders' quiz

MLB News / Federal Baseball / June 25

Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Phillies

The Nats have lost in truly heartbreaking fashion back to back nights. However, they still have a chance to salvage a split tonight. It will be a tall task though.

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.

Washington Nationals News / Federal Baseball / June 25

The one silver lining to Washington Nationals historic bullpen struggles

To say that the Nationals’ bullpen has been bad might be the understatement of the century. They’re not just struggling, they’re performing at a level so poor that they redefine the definition of a “bad bullpen”.

Washington Nationals News / Washington Nationals on SI / June 25

Nationals Activate Crucial Veteran Reliever After Latest Bullpen Disaster

Uncanny. That was one of the words that came to mind -- among others that can't be repeated on here -- after the Washington Nationals snatched defeat from the jaws of victory for the second night in a row.

Orlando Ribalta News / Washington Nationals on SI / June 25

Nationals Skipper Explains Why He Pulled Orlando Ribalta in Ninth Inning

If any Washington Nationals fan had deja vu on Wednesday night, it's not hard to see why. Exactly one day after the Nationals were a strike away from beating the Philadelphia Phillies before there was a ninth-inning implosion, Washington faced that situation once again.

Dylan Crews News / Just Baseball / June 25

Is It Time To Worry About Dylan Crews?

When the 2023 MLB draft rolled around, two LSU teammates were the main focus. Pitcher Paul Skenes was the high-upside arm in the draft, while the rest of the top five was hitter focused.

Paxton Schultz News / Washington Nationals on SI / June 24

Nationals Demote Paxton Schultz, Call Up In-Season Trade Acquisition as Replacement

Following a huge meltdown by the Washington Nationals bullpen on Tuesday, the organization decided to shuffle the relief staff once again. The team announced that right-hander Paxton Schultz had been optioned to Triple-A Rochester following Tuesday's contest.

MLB News / Washington Nationals on SI / June 24

Nationals' Historic, Gut-Wrenching Loss Against Phillies Highlights Biggest Weakness

The Washington Nationals were one strike away from completing a wild come-from-behind victory over the Philadelphia Phillies that would have ensured at least a series split against their division rival.

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 / Washington Nationals on SI / June 23

This Projected 2029 Nationals Lineup and Rotation Looks Awesome

The Washington Nationals entered June 23 firmly in the postseason mix, as they held a share of the final NL Wild Card spot. That is an exciting development for this franchise.

Washington Nationals News / MLB on ClutchPoints / June 23

Nationals slugger CJ Abrams scratched late vs. Phillies with side tightness

The Washington Nationals scratched shortstop CJ Abrams from Tuesday night’s matchup vs. the Philadelphia Phillies because of left side tightness. The late change came shortly before first pitch, creating a notable absence for the Nationals in a key NL East matchup.

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The 'Triple-Double leaders by team' quiz

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Washington Nationals News / Washington Nationals on SI / June 23

Massive Sell-Off at Trade Deadline Could Have Long-Term Ramifications for Nationals

The Washington Nationals are doing something at this stage of the season that nobody expected, as they are firmly in the National League playoff picture.

Washington Nationals News / Washington Nationals on SI / June 23

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.

DJ Herz 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.