Ford went 2-for-5 with a walk, a home run, three runs scored and three RBI in Friday's rout of the A's.
In his ninth career MLB game and his Nationals debut, Ford took Justin Sterner deep for a two-run homer in the fifth inning, giving the 23-year-old backstop his first career long ball. Ford wasn't exactly lighting it up at Triple-A Rochester prior to his promotion, managing a .705 OPS and four home runs in 58 games, and he could be limited to a short-side platoon role while working behind Keibert Ruiz.
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Nationals' Harry Ford: Summoned to big leagues
Rotowire
The Nationals recalled Ford from Triple-A Rochester on Friday.
Ford's promotion was reported earlier this week and is now official, as he'll absorb the roster spot vacated by the injured Drew Millas (finger). The 23-year-old has slashed a disappointing .223/.370/.335 with four homers, zero stolen bases and a 45:65 BB:K across 257 plate appearances at Rochester. Ford should operate primarily as the backup catcher behind Keibert Ruiz.
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Nationals' Harry Ford: Heading to big leagues
Rotowire
The Nationals will recall Ford from Triple-A Rochester ahead of Friday's series opener with the Athletics, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.
After the Nationals placed Drew Millas on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a fractured left index finger, the team will need another catcher to complement Keibert Ruiz. Ford was acquired from the Mariners last winter and has slashed .223/.370/.335 with four homers, 22 RBI, 34 runs scored and a 45:65 BB:K across 257 plate appearances at Rochester. The 23-year-old was the 12th overall pick in the 2021 draft.
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Nationals' Harry Ford: Beginning season at Triple-A
Rotowire
The Nationals optioned Ford to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.
With Ford starting the season in Triple-A, it appears Drew Millas will open the 2026 campaign as the backup to Keibert Ruiz at catcher. Ford was acquired from the Mariners over the winter and was thought to be in the mix to beat out Ruiz for the starting gig. Ford, however, didn't do much at the plate this spring to force Washington's hand, slashing .214/.353/.286 across 17 plate appearances. He hit .200 with a .694 OPS in four games at the World Baseball Classic for Team Great Britain. Ford should be in the majors at some point this season.
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Nationals' Harry Ford: Traded to Nats
Rotowire
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.
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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: 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: Reassigned to minor-league camp
Rotowire
Ford was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Mariners on Monday.
Ford is an ultra-talented 20-year-old catcher considered by most to be the best prospect in the Mariners' system. He went 2-for-4 with three walks in seven plate appearances during Cactus League play while also slugging a couple home runs for Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic. Ford might not wind up sticking at catcher, but Seattle intends to continue grooming at the position for now.
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Mariners' Harry Ford: Strong first full pro season
Rotowire
Ford appeared in 104 games for Single-A Modesto in 2022 and batted .274/.425/.438 with 11 home runs, 23 steals and an 88:115 BB:K.
The 2021 first-rounder impressed all year with his plate discipline and baserunning, though he did fall a bit short in the power department. Ford started the season cold, hitting just .196 over his first 38 games, but from June 12 through the end of the campaign, he put up a sparkling .320/.459/.530 line. Look for the 19-year-old backstop to open next season with High-A Everett.
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Mariners' Harry Ford: On fire in Single-A
Rotowire
Ford has hit .344/.463/.580 with four homers, eight steals and a 24:37 BB:K across his last 34 games for Single-A Modesto.
He opened the season ice cold, so Ford's season-long line still looks good but not great at .266/.412/.423. Nonetheless, the 19-year-old's recent production is far more reflective of the potential he brings to the table. With growing pop and good speed, Ford offers the promise of a tantalizing fantasy package at the catcher position. He's most likely a few years away, though, with his timeline depending on whether the Mariners remain inclined to keep him behind the plate.
