Nationals Release Zak Kent

The Nationals are releasing right-hander Zak Kent, per a team announcement. Kent was designated for assignment last week.

The 28-year-old Kent was bumped off the roster after Washington claimed right-hander Braxton Roxby off waivers from San Francisco. He apparently passed through waivers himself, and the Nationals chose to move on. Kent is now a free agent.

Kent spent most of the year in Washington’s organization, but it was a wild ride to get there. He was designated for assignment by the Guardians last winter. Kent was then claimed and DFAed by the Cardinals, Rangers, and Cardinals again. The Twins claimed and actually kept him for a bit. Kent pitched in two games for the Twins before being DFAed again. Washington scooped him up in early May.

The Nationals called on Kent whenever they needed a fresh arm in the bullpen. He had three separate stints with the big-league club. Kent posted a 5.68 ERA across 12 2/3 innings with Washington. He had similar struggles at Triple-A Rochester, recording an ERA up near 5.00 in 32 appearances.

Kent throws from an over-the-top arm angle at 52 degrees. Only 15 qualified righties had an arm angle above that number this season. It’s a prototype that the Nationals tried out frequently in 2026. Righties Clayton Beeter and Gus Varland, who took turns as Washington’s closer early in the season, both have arm angles above 50 degrees. They’d theoretically pair nicely with the lower slots of Brad Lord, Yovanny Cruz, and Jack Sinclair. It didn’t work out this season and the unit will likely look plenty different in 2027.