The Mariners traded Ford to the Nationals on Saturday alongside minor-league pitcher Isaac Lyon in exchange for reliever Jose Ferrer, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Ford spent most of the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Tacoma, where he slashed .283/.408/.460 with 16 homers, 74 RBI and 68 runs scored across 458 plate appearances. He managed to reach the big leagues toward the end of the regular season but only appeared in eight games for the Mariners, going 1-for-6 at the plate. The 22-year-old Ford will now join Keibert Ruiz (concussion), Riley Adams and Drew Millas (finger) in the battle for Washington's starting catcher job -- a race that figures to be wide open considering none of the four candidates posted an OPS above .600 over at least 100 plate appearances in 2025.
The Mariners selected Ford's contract from Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.
One of the best catching prospects in the game, Ford is now the third backstop on Seattle's roster, joining Cal Raleigh and Mitch Garver. The 22-year-old Ford earned the call-up after slashing .283/.408/.460 with 16 home runs and seven steals in 97 games at Triple-A. Despite being one of the youngest players at Triple-A, Ford's 0.84 BB/K is the 15th-best mark among qualified Triple-A hitters, and his seven steals were the second-most among Triple-A backstops.
Mariners' Harry Ford: Joining Seattle as insurance
Rotowire
Ford will join the Mariners in Arlington, Texas, on Friday, though it's not certain that he'll be officially called up to the big-league roster, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
Ford could end up simply spending some time on the taxi squad rather than getting his first big-league call-up, but he may be needed on the Mariners roster if Mitch Garver, who exited Thursday's game against Minnesota after being hit in the jaw by a foul ball, needs to go on the IL. Ford is one of baseball's top catching prospects and has shined with Triple-A Tacoma this season, posting a .311/.426/.469 slash line with eight homers, 43 RBI and three stolen bases over 60 games. If he does get officially promoted, Ford would probably log just a few starts per week, primarily on days when Cal Raleigh is given a break from catching duties.
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Mariners' Harry Ford: Raking for Rainiers
Rotowire
Ford is slashing .313/.427/.490 with eight home runs, three steals and a 17.2 percent strikeout rate in 50 games for Triple-A Tacoma.
The 5-foot-10 catcher has only attempted five steals after swiping 35 bases in 116 games at Double-A a year ago, but otherwise he's having his best season to date. If the Mariners want to be buyers at the deadline, Ford could be on the move, but as things stand he's blocked by Cal Raleigh in Seattle and is not yet on the 40-man roster.
Mariners' Harry Ford: Returns to action with Arkansas
Rotowire
Ford (concussion) took a full game's worth of plate appearances as the designated hitter in Double-A Arkansas' win over Midland on Sunday, going 1-for-4 with a run.
Ford was returning to action from the 7-day IL after being placed in concussion protocol due to taking a ball off his facemask July 25. The promising prospect should be able to resume catching duties at any point and sports a .247 average and .740 OPS across his first 83 games at the Double-A level this season.
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Mariners' Harry Ford: Recovering well from concussion
Rotowire
Ford is feeling "100 percent" following his concussion and will begin going through protocols to return to action with Double-A Arkansas, MLB.com reports.
Ford took a foul ball off his facemask July 25 and was diagnosed with a concussion the following day. If his recovery continues without setbacks, Ford could conceivably be deemed ready to suit back up for the Travelers in a matter of days.
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Mariners' Harry Ford: Suffers concussion
Rotowire
Ford was placed on Double-A Arkansas' 7-day injured list Saturday due to concussion symptoms, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
The 21-year-old suffered the injury during Thursday's contest when he took a ball off the mask while working behind the plate. Ford, who is one of the Mariners' top prospects, will need to clear the concussion protocol before returning to action.
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