Kuhl activated, Harris to Rochester

The Washington Nationals reinstated right-handed pitcher Chad Kuhl from the 15-day Injured List and optioned right-handed pitcher Hobie Harris to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Kuhl, 30, returns after being placed on the Injured List on May 1 with right foot metatarsalgia. Prior to being placed on the Injured List, he appeared in five games, going 0-2 with a 9.41 ERA. 

For his career, Kuhl is 31-43 with a 4.92 ERA in 132 games (116 starts) across seven Major League seasons with Washington (2023), Colorado (2022) and Pittsburgh (2016-21). He’s made 16 appearances out of the bullpen in his career, going 2-1 with a 5.40 ERA.

Harris, 29, posted a 5.40 ERA in 15 games out of the bullpen in his first Major League season.

Dickerson activated, Alu optioned

The Washington Nationals returned from rehab and reinstated outfielder Corey Dickerson from the 10-day Injured List and optioned infielder/outfielder Jake Alu to Triple-A Rochester on Monday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Dickerson, 33, saw action in two games this season before he was placed on the Injured List with a left calf strain on April 2. In three games with Triple-A Rochester on rehab assignment, he went 2-for-10 with a double and a walk. Last season, Dickerson hit .267 with 17 doubles, a triple, six home runs, 36 RBI and 12 walks in 96 games for the St. Louis Cardinals. He also collected two hits in six at-bats (.333) during the 2022 Postseason.  

Dickerson has hit .281 with a .324 on-base percentage and a .480 slugging percentage in 1,036 games across 11 Major League seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Miami Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays, St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals. He recorded 230 doubles, 36 triples, 134 home runs, 452 RBI, 220 walks and 471 runs scored in that time fame. Dickerson was named an American League All-Star in 2017 with Tampa Bay and won a National League Rawlings Gold Glove in 2018 with Pittsburgh.

Alu, 26, played in three games for Washington. He went 1-for-9 with a walk and a stolen base while starting three games in left field.

Nats recall Alu, put Robles on IL

The Washington Nationals recalled infielder Jake Alu from Triple-A Rochester, and placed outfielder Victor Robles on the 10-day Injured List (retroactive to May 7) with back spasms on Monday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Alu, 26, joins the Nationals after going 6-for-21 (.286) with two doubles, one homer, three RBI, two walks and two runs scored over his last six games with Triple-A Rochester. He hit his second home run of the year on Sunday. Overall, Alu hit .247 with four doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI, eight walks and three stolen bases in 21 games for the Red Wings. He appeared at third base (16 G), left field (2 G), designated hitter (2 G) and second base (1 G).

Alu was the 2022 “Nationals Way” Award winner after he led Washington’s Minor League system in average (.298), slugging percentage (.507), OPS (.872), doubles (40), extra-base hits (62) and total bases (252). He finished the season on a 20-game on-base streak, hitting in each of the final 14 games and tallying hits in 19 of 20 games during the streak. At third base, Alu led all of Minor League Baseball (infielders and outfielders) with 17 defensive runs saved, according to Baseball Info Solutions.

A former 24th-round pick from Boston College, Alu was added to Washington’s 40-man roster following the 2022 season. If he appears in a game with Washington, he will be the lowest drafted position player to make his Major League debut with the Washington Nationals in team history (2005-pres.).

Robles, 25, is hitting .292 with four doubles, a triple, eight RBI and eight stolen bases in 31 games this season.

Nationals recall RHP Irvin, activate Vargas

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Jake Irvin from Triple-A Rochester, returned from rehab and reinstated infielder Ildemaro Vargas from the Injured List and optioned infielder Jeter Downs to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday. The Nationals optioned right-handed pitcher Cory Abbott on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.

Irvin, 26, is scheduled to start and make his Major League debut tonight against the Chicago Cubs. He joins the Nationals after beginning the season with Triple-A Rochester. In his last start on April 26 against St. Paul (MIN), Irvin struck out six in 5.1 innings and allowed two runs on five hits and three walks. In five starts for the Red Wings in 2023, Irvin is 2-2 with a 5.64 ERA (14 ER/22.1 IP), working at least 5.0 innings in four of his last five outings since April 8.

A native of Edina, Minn., Irvin was selected by the Nationals in the fourth round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft from the University of Oklahoma. In four Minor League seasons, he is 11-14 with a 3.80 ERA in 65 games (61 starts).

Irvin was added to Washington’s 40-man roster following the 2022 season and has the “Best Control” in Washington’s system, per Baseball America. With his start today, he will become the 25th pitcher drafted/signed and developed by the Washington Nationals to start a game for Washington (2005-pres.).

Vargas returns to Washington after missing 18 games with a right shoulder strain. He played in seven games for the Nationals before his injury going 1-for-12 with a walk and two runs scored. Vargas played in three games on rehab assignment for Triple-A Rochester and went 1-for-10 with a walk.

Abbott recalled as Kuhl goes to IL

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Cory Abbott from Triple-A Rochester and placed right-handed pitcher Chad Kuhl on the 15-day Injured List (retroactive to April 30) with right foot metatarsalgia on Monday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Abbott, 27, joins the Nationals for the first time this season after beginning the season with Triple-A Rochester. In his last start on April 28 against St. Paul (MIN), Abbott struck out 12 in 5.2 innings and allowed just one hit and three walks. For his efforts, he was named International League Pitcher of the Week. In five starts for the Red Wings in 2023, Abbott is 1-3 with a 6.46 ERA (17 ER/23.2 IP). Over his last three starts, Abbott has struck out 24 in 13.2 innings.

Abbott was selected off waivers from the San Francisco Giants on May 4, 2022 and was recalled for the first time on June 17. He went on to enjoy five stints with Washington, making nine starts (0-5, 6.00 ERA, 36 SO) and seven relief appearances (2.00 ERA, 9 SO). He held opponents to a .186 average at home and struck out a total of 13 in his final two starts (seven in 5.0 IP vs. Atlanta Sept. 26 and six in 4.0 IP at New York (NL) Oct. 4).

Kuhl, 30, is 0-2 with a 9.41 ERA in five starts with the Nationals in 2023.

Homestand hightlights April 28-May 4 vs. Pirates and Cubs

After an exciting six-game road trip in which the Nationals claimed two series wins, the Washington Nationals return home for a three-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates, followed by four games against the Chicago Cubs. Single-game tickets for all Nationals home games are on sale now at nats.com/Tickets

This homestand features several fun promotions and events for fans of all ages, with a City Connect Nationals fedora, the first of seven Military Branch Days, and Kids Opening Day, highlighted by a kids rally cap giveaway and the return of Kids Run the Bases.

As a reminder, if you would like to cover any events at Nationals Park, please contact Valerie Todryk Krebs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Gabrielle Scheder-Bieschin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Devon Bridges at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for credentialing information in advance of the event.

FRIDAY, APRIL 28 vs. PITTSBURGH PIRATES (7:05 PM ET)

  • City Connect On-Field Wear Date

o   The Nationals sport their cherry blossom-themed City Connect uniforms for all remaining Friday and Saturday home games.

Homestand highlights for April 14-14

After a seven-game road trip, the Washington Nationals return home with a three-game set against the Cleveland Guardians, followed by two games against the Baltimore Orioles in the Beltway Series presented by Inova. Single-game tickets for all Nationals home games are on sale now at nats.com/Tickets

 

This second homestand of the season features several fun promotions and events for fans of all ages, including a Josiah Gray bobblehead presented by Coca-Cola, two Nationals College Day Series games and the first of six Pups in the Park events.

 

As a reminder, if you would like to cover any events at Nationals Park, please contact Valerie Todryk Krebs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Gabrielle Scheder-Bieschin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Devon Bridges at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for credentialing information in advance of the event.

Washington Nationals recall outfielder Stone Garrett

The Washington Nationals recalled outfielder Stone Garrett from Triple-A Rochester and placed outfielder Corey Dickerson on the 10-day Injured List with a left calf strain on Sunday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Garrett, 27, went 4-for-8 with two RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored in two games with Triple-A Rochester to start the 2023 season. He recorded three hits and two RBI on Opening Day, March 31 vs. Lehigh Valley (PHI).

Garrett hit .276 with eight doubles, four homers, 10 RBI, three walks, three stolen bases and 13 runs scored in 27 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2022. He made his Major League debut on Aug. 17 vs. San Francisco and recorded his first Major League hit that night, a double off Carlos Rodón. He recorded hits in four of his first five at bats and hit safely in 10 of his first 12 games. At the time of his promotion, Garrett ranked among all Minor Leaguers in RBI (T2nd, 96), home runs (T4th, 28), extra-base hits (T6th, 54) and total bases (10th, 221).

A power-hitting outfielder, Garrett entered the season with 57 homers, 187 RBI and a .538 slugging percentage in 235 total (MLB/MiLB) games across the last two seasons (2021-22). Entering 2023, he is the only player in the Minor Leagues to have at least 25 homers and 15 stolen bases in each of the last two seasons. Additionally, Garrett is one of two Minor Leaguers to have amassed at least 50 homers and 30 stolen bases since 2021.

Garrett signed a Major League contract with the Nationals on November 29, 2022 and is under team control for six seasons.

Homestand highlights for March 30-April 5 vs. Braves and Rays

After a busy offseason, the Washington Nationals kick off the 2023 season with a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves, followed by a three-game set vs. the Tampa Bay Rays. The first homestand of the season features several fun promotions and events for fans of all ages, including an Opening Day City Connect t-shirt and the first of four Patriotic Series games with Military Appreciation Day.

Single-game tickets for all Nationals home games are on sale now. The Nationals open their 2023 campaign at Nationals Park on Thursday, March 30, against the Atlanta Braves. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET and gates will be open to fans at 11:30 a.m. ET. Tickets are available at nats.com/OpeningDay.

As a reminder, if you would like to cover any events at Nationals Park, please contact Valerie Todryk Krebs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Gabrielle Scheder-Bieschin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Devon Bridges at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for credentialing information in advance of the event. 

THURSDAY, MARCH 30 vs. ATLANTA BRAVES (1:05 PM ET)

  • Opening Day City Connect T-Shirt

o   The first 20,000 fans will receive an Opening Day City Connect t-shirt presented by PenFed.

Nats announce Opening Day roster

The Washington Nationals announced their 2023 Opening Day roster and corresponding moves on Thursday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.

 

Starters (5)

Relievers (8)

Catchers (2)

World Series champion Gerardo Parra leads world-famous Clydesdales through Navy Yard on Opening Day

2019 World Series champion Gerardo Parra, who endeared himself to Nationals fans and baseball lovers across the globe with his “Baby Shark” walk-up music, will kick off 2023 Opening Day celebrations on Thursday, March 30, by leading the World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales on a parade around Washington, D.C.’s Navy Yard neighborhood.

Parra, who currently serves as Special Assistant to the General Manager with the Nationals, will ride the hitch as the Clydesdales depart from Nationals Park at the corner of First St. and N St. SE at 10:45 a.m. He will greet fans and pass out giveaways, including autographed memorabilia, along the route, which makes its way east on N St. before heading north on Fourth St. and turning back west on M St. The hitch will then proceed down Half St., where it will stop at Nationals Park’s Center Field Gates at approximately 11:15 a.m. The Budweiser Clydesdales, which are currently celebrating their 90th anniversary, will be available for photos outside the ballpark until gates open at 11:30 a.m., with one Clydesdale available for additional photos inside the ballpark near the Budweiser Brew House from 12:00-12:30 p.m.

The Washington Nationals face the Atlanta Braves at 1:05 p.m. on Opening Day, Thursday, March 30. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to the neighborhood for pregame festivities and entertainment, including the Clydesdales parade, mascot appearances and more. Gates open at 11:30 a.m., and on-field pregame ceremonies begin at 12:20 p.m. Tickets are available at nats.com/OpeningDay.

 

Parade Route:

Nationals announce Scout of the Year Awards

The Washington Nationals announced their Phil Rizzo Scout of the Year Award and the organization’s International Scout of the Year Award on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo and Vice President and Assistant General Manager of International Operations Johnny DiPuglia made the respective announcements. 

The Phil Rizzo Scout of the Year Award is given annually to the Washington Nationals scout who represents the integrity, character and work ethic exemplified by Mike Rizzo’s late father, Phil Rizzo. Jeff Zona, Special Assistant to the President of Baseball Operations and General Manager and Director of Pitching Evaluation, is this year’s winner, announced by Mike Rizzo. 

Zona enters his 17th season with Washington and fifth with the added title of Director of Pitching Evaluation. In his role, Zona evaluates First-Year Player Draft prospects with a focus on pitchers. From 2009-13, Zona served as the national crosschecker covering the Eastern region of the United States. He became the national crosschecker after spending the 2008 and 2009 campaigns as a Major League scout. 

“Congratulations to Jeff on taking home this year’s very special award,” said Rizzo. “Jeff was one of my first hires in 2006 and he has been an invaluable member of our staff ever since. His knowledge, work ethic and preparation – especially as it relates to the Draft -  is some of the best I’ve ever seen. He’s a trusted, loyal member of our scouting department, and I am incredibly proud to name him this year’s winner.” 

“I’d like to thank Mike for selecting me as this year’s winner of the Phil Rizzo Scout of the Year Award,” said Zona. “Phil was a legend in the scouting community and was a person I looked up to in scouting and in life. I’m extremely honored to accept this award in his name.”

Nationals' recent cuts send Stone Garrett to Triple-A

The Washington Nationals have made the following moves: 

 

Optioned to Triple-A Rochester: OF Stone Garrett

LHP Jose Ferrer

 

Statement from Nationals GM on Cavalli

During the third inning of our game against the New York Mets on Tuesday, right-handed pitcher Cade Cavalli sustained a right elbow injury. An MRI has revealed that he has a grade three sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament which will require Tommy John surgery.

While Cade will not pitch in 2023, he continues to be a very important part of our franchise’s future and we look forward to having him back on the mound.

We will provide an update on his surgery when it is available.

Keibert Ruiz signs 8-year extension with 2 team options

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on an eight-year contract – including two club options – with catcher Keibert Ruiz on Saturday. The contract begins in 2023 and runs through the 2030 season with club options for the 2031 and 2032 seasons. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Ruiz, 24, is entering his fourth Major League season and his third season as a member of the Washington Nationals. He was Washington’s top prospect and the No. 11 prospect in all of baseball according to Baseball America entering the 2022 season. As a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, Ruiz ranked as their top prospect in 2021 and 2019, according to Baseball America.

Despite having his 2022 season end on Sept. 8, Ruiz ranked among National League catchers in pickoffs (T1st, 4), catcher caught stealing (2nd, 18), games (2nd, 112), doubles (5th, 22), hits (5th, 99) and extra-base hits (T6th, 29) last season. His 18 catcher caught stealings ranked second in Major League Baseball behind Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto (27). Additionally, Ruiz picked off four runners at first base, tied for the most in Major League Baseball.

Ruiz opened the 2022 season in strong fashion, hitting .281/.340/.381 from Opening Day through the end of May. He closed the season hitting safely in 14 of his final 19 games, going 18-for-60 (.300) with four doubles, one homer, six RBI, six walks, one stolen base and seven runs scored during this stretch. He struck out just one time in his last 43 plate appearances (2.3%) to end the season.

Since joining the Nationals at the 2021 Trade Deadline, Ruiz has hit .257 with 25 doubles, nine homers, 50 RBI, 36 walks, six stolen bases and 42 runs scored in 135 games. He’s posted a .319 on-base percentage and a .366 slugging percentage along the way. Over the last two seasons, Ruiz ranks eighth in Major League Baseball (min. 500 PA) with an 11.2% strikeout rate.

More cuts send Jake Alu to Triple-A

The Nationals have made the following roster moves:

Optioned to Triple-A Rochester: INF Jake Alu

Optioned to Double-A Harrisburg: OF Jeremy De La Rosa

Re-assigned to minor league camp: OF Yadiel Hernandez OF Travis Blankenhorn

First round of cuts sends Joan Adon to Triple-A

The Nationals have made the following roster moves:

Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Joan Adon

Re-assigned to minor league camp: LHP Alberto Baldonado, RHP Gerardo Carrillo, LHP Evan Lee, LHP Francisco Perez, RHP Tommy Romero, C Brady Lindsly, INF Lucius Fox, INF Erick Mejia, OF Yasel Antuna OF Donovan Casey, RHP Jackson Tetreault, RHP Anthony Castro, OF Derek Hill and RHP Zach Brzykcy

Nationals announce 2023 non-roster invitees

The Washington Nationals announced their 2023 non-roster invitees on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

 

RHP

LHP

C

Nationals announce special ticket events for 2023 season

With Major League Spring Training just a couple weeks away and the regular season right around the corner, the Washington Nationals today announced several of the team’s 2023 special ticket events. The schedule includes fan-favorites like Pups in the Park, Cat-urday, Night OUT and Ladies Night, plus season-long series like College Days and military appreciation games.

The Nationals will celebrate the team’s furry fans on multiple occasions, including six Pups in the Park dates courtesy of Pedigree Foundation, and the return of Cat-urday presented by Temptations. Fans who select special tickets in the outfield reserved section for Pups in the Park dates are invited to bring their canine companions to Nationals Park with the purchase of a separate dog ticket, which benefits the Humane Rescue Alliance. Feline aficionados purchasing the special Cat-urday ticket for on Saturday, Aug. 19, will receive a special themed item.

Night OUT, the longest-running Pride event in MLB, will take place on Tuesday, June 6, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community during Pride month. Fans who purchase a special Night OUT ticket will receive an exclusive t-shirt with five dollars of each special ticket sold donated to Team DC, an LGBTQ non-profit focused on building community through sports. The first 20,000 fans through the gates will also receive a Screech Night OUT bobblehead.

Additional highlights of the 2023 special ticket event schedule include Ladies Night, multiple heritage nightsCollege DaysHBCU/Divine 9 Day and more. The Patriotic Series presented by PenFed and Branch Days continue the Nationals’ commitment to celebrating and serving military families. 

The latest schedule of special ticket events and theme nights can be found below. The latest promotions schedule, including previously released items like bobbleheads the already popular City Connect fedora, can be viewed at nationals.com/Promotions.

Nationals agree to terms with outfielder Corey Dickerson

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with outfielder Corey Dickerson and designated right-handed pitcher Andrés Machado for assignment on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Dickerson, 33, hit .281 with a .324 on-base percentage and a .481 slugging percentage in 1,034 games across 10 Major League seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Miami Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays and St. Louis Cardinals. He recorded 230 doubles, 36 triples, 134 home runs, 452 RBI, 220 walks and 471 runs scored in that time fame. Dickerson was named an American League All-Star in 2017 with Tampa Bay and won a National League Rawlings Gold Glove in 2018 with Pittsburgh.

Last season, Dickerson hit .267 with 17 doubles, a triple, six home runs, 36 RBI and 12 walks in 96 games for the St. Louis Cardinals. He collected two hits in six at-bats (.333) during the 2022 Postseason. 

Dickerson has hit .300 or better in a season four times in his career (2014-15, 2018-19) and has hit 20 or more home runs in a season three times in his career (2014, 2016-17), including a career-high 27 homers in his 2017 All-Star campaign with Tampa Bay.

A native of McComb, Miss., Dickerson was selected in the eighth round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of Meridian Community College.