Nationals Designate Matt Krook For Assignment

The Nationals announced that right-hander Paxton Schultz has been recalled from Triple-A Rochester. In a corresponding move, left-hander Matt Krook has been designated for assignment. The club’s 40-man roster count goes from 39 to 38.

Krook has been on and off the roster this month. He was claimed off waivers from the Athletics on July 4. He made three appearances, allowing two earned runs in 2 2/3 innings in just over a week before being designated for assignment. He is out of options and can’t be easily sent to the minors. He cleared waivers and elected free agency but then was re-signed.

After being added back to the roster, his first two appearances were good, as he tossed a scoreless inning in each outing. Last night, however, his game wasn’t so pretty. He was put into the ninth inning of a game the Nats were leading 10-5. He walked three straight batters before being removed with the bases loaded and no one out. Clayton Beeter came in and got the final three outs, allowing two of the baserunners to score in the process, as the Nats won 10-7.

That performance has nudged Krook off the roster yet again. He should return to the waiver wire in the coming days. Since he just cleared waivers a couple of weeks ago, it wouldn’t be surprised if he passes through once more. If that comes to pass, he would have the right to elect free agency.

At that point, he would probably be limited to minor league offers. His major league track record is not great, in any sense of the word. This is his fourth big league season but he has only logged a total of 16 2/3 innings with a 13.50 earned run average.

His minor league work is more interesting. Dating back to the start of 2023, his first season as a full-time reliever, he has thrown 154 2/3 Triple-A innings with a 3.08 ERA. His 15.7% walk rate is ghastly but he has struck out 31.7% of batters faced in that time and racked up ground balls on more than half the balls in play he has allowed. Next week’s trade deadline will lead to a lot of roster shuffling, so perhaps Krook will find a decent landing spot after the dust settles.