Nationals' Griff McGarry: Stolen by division rival
Rotowire
The Nationals selected McGarry with the third pick in the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday.
McGarry has been a known prospect for several years due to his nasty stuff, but he has never thrown enough strikes as a starter. The 26-year-old righty logged a 3.44 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 124 strikeouts and 49 walks in 83.2 innings in 2025, primarily at Double-A. McGarry could be a late-inning weapon thanks to a devastating fastball/sweeper combination, but he'd need to improve his command to work in high-leverage spots.
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Nationals' Isaac Lyon: Shipped to D.C.
Rotowire
The Mariners traded Lyon and Harry Ford to the Nationals on Saturday in exchange for Jose Ferrer, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
After being selected by the Mariners in the 10th round of the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, Lyon started four games at Single-A Modesto and posted a 7.30 ERA over 12.1 innings. The 21-year-old righty will likely spend 2026 in the lower levels of Washington's farm system and isn't expected to reach the majors anytime soon.
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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.
Adams signed a one-year contract with the Nationals on Friday.
Adams appeared in a career-high 83 games with the Nationals in 2025 but still wasn't very effective at the plate, slashing just .186/.252/.308 across 286 plate appearances. He'll officially remain in the organization to begin 2026 but will likely face competition for a spot on the big-league roster during spring training.
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Nationals' Christian Franklin: Joins 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Nationals selected Franklin's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old was acquired from the Cubs in the Michael Soroka trade over the summer, so it's no surprise the Nationals are protecting him from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. Franklin spent the year at the Triple-A level between the two organizations and posted an .817 OPS with 12 homers and 19 steals in 117 games.
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Nationals' Riley Cornelio: Protected from Rule 5 Draft
Rotowire
The Nationals selected Cornelio's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.
He's now on the 40-man roster and protected from the Rule 5 Draft. Cornelio, 25, posted a 3.28 ERA and 135:55 K:BB across 134.1 frames in 2025 covering three minor-league levels.
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Nationals' Jake Bennett: Added to 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Nationals selected Bennett's contract from Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday.
After missing the 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Bennett held a 2.27 ERA and 64:19 K:BB over 75.1 innings covering three levels in 2025. The left-hander is now protected from next month's Rule 5 Draft.
Yean signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Saturday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Yean was traded from Washington to Pittsburgh back in 2020 as part of the return for Josh Bell, and the former will now return to the organization with which he began his professional career. The 24-year-old righty turned in a 2.86 ERA and 1.55 WHIP across 69.1 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis in 2025 and will likely report to Triple-A Rochester to begin 2026.
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Nationals' Trey Lipscomb: Sent outright to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Nationals outrighted Lipscomb to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday.
Lipscomb has lost his spot on the 40-man roster but will remain in the organization. The 25-year-old infielder has slashed just .206/.272/.237 during his time with the Nationals over the last two seasons.
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