Nationals Claim Chase Hampton

The Nationals announced that right-hander Chase Hampton has been claimed off the Yankees’ waiver wire, and optioned to Double-A.  To create a 40-man roster spot, Washington moved right-hander Matt Waldron from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL, so Waldron’s 2026 season is officially over.

New York designated Hampton for assignment earlier this week, and the claim brings a former top-100 prospect into Washington’s system.  Hampton was viewed as one of baseball’s more interesting top pitching prospects heading into the 2024 campaign, before injuries (including a Tommy John surgery) put him on the shelf for almost all of the next two seasons.

Hampton returned from his TJ rehab this past May, but he has posted an 8.18 ERA, 21.3% strikeout rate, and 12.9% walk rate over 55 innings across three levels of the Yankees’ farm system.  Between the lack of control and the inability to keep the ball in the park (Hampton allowed 13 homers in his 55 frames), the Yankees felt keeping Hampton was no longer worth a 40-man roster spot, so the righty was the odd man out when Aaron Judge was activated from the 60-day injured list last Monday.

Hampton just turned 25 last month, and he has a full slate of minor league options since he has never been added to a 40-man roster.  These factors and his last top-100 pedigree made him an interesting add for the rebuilding Nationals, who are looking to obtain as much pitching as possible.  While Hampton could potentially be a DFA candidate again depending on Washington’s roster needs this winter, there’s no risk for the Nats in taking a flier to see if Hampton could be a late bloomer.

Waldron was himself claimed off the Blue Jays’ waiver wire just a few weeks ago, and he tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings over three appearances for the Nationals.  Chest inflammation then sent Waldron to the 15-day IL on September 5, and now that his season is over, Waldron finishes 2026 with a 6.54 ERA over 42 2/3 innings with the Padres, Jays, and Nats.  The knuckleballer is out of minor league options, and twice changed teams via waiver claims after being DFA’ed.