Washington Nationals Officially Call Up Bruce the Bat Dog For MLB Debut

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Sam Connon | Last updated Jun 14, 2025 1:42 PM ET

The Washington Nationals have had a handful of top prospects break into big leagues in recent years, but the one who got promoted Saturday came with a whole new kind of hype.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Nationals announced they would be calling up Bruce the Bat Dog from Triple-A Rochester. He made it down to D.C. just in time for Saturday's game against the Miami Marlins, getting the full-on star treatment on his way into Nationals Park.

After all, Saturday was Washington's "Pups in the Park" day, making it the perfect time for Bruce to soak up the spotlight.

DOG at the PARK pic.twitter.com/SgUpYhtvYn
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 14, 2025

And like every other prospect making their MLB debut, Bruce was given a patch commemorating the accomplishment to wear on his jersey – or, in his case, his Nationals bandana.

a GOOD BOY in uniform

HIS VERY OWN DEBUT PATCH pic.twitter.com/pjIj7QuVnr
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 14, 2025

Bruce's rise to the majors was borderline meteoric, considering the golden retriever only made his debut with the Red Wings in September 2024. He took over for Milo, who died in May 2023.

This article first appeared on Fastball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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