Transactions: 2026

[imref]

He can’t pitch again for 4-5 days and we need arms so it sadly makes baseball sense.

[IdahoNat]

I can guarantee that if they are contending by the trade deadline, the Triple A call-ups will be touted as just as good as being buyers at the deadline by the FO.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Alvarez optioned back to Rochester. .

well, I  guess the next guy to get a call up for long relief is Cornelio

[JCA-CrystalCity]

The problem with some of this cycling is that guys have to stay down i think 10 days before they can come back. I don't think Ribalta can be called back yet, for example

[imref]

The problem with some of this cycling is that guys have to stay down i think 10 days before they can come back. I don't think Ribalta can be called back yet, for example

iirc, 10 for position players and 15 for pitchers unless there’s an injury.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

iirc, 10 for position players and 15 for pitchers unless there’s an injury.

that's what AI says, barring an injury.

So, Granillo is not eligible until 4/22, Rutledge 4/29, Ribalta 5/2, Schultz 5/4, and Alvarez 5/5.

Julian Fernandez had one bad appearance on 4/3 but has otherwise not been scored on in his other 8 appearances. Beyond him, it's Perales and Cornelio who are on the 40 man roster as of now.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Alvarez optioned back to Rochester. .

I'll guess Julian Fernandez is next man up.  He's only been pitching single innings, but Lord can go long if necessary tomorrow. Lord last pitched Wednesday.

Cornelio can't go long tomorrow after pitching today. Perels pitched Friday.

[welch]

Rochester seems short on pitchers, and especially 1-inning standard relievers. And starters, other than alvarez.

[imref]

I'll guess Julian Fernandez is next man up.  He's only been pitching single innings, but Lord can go long if necessary tomorrow. Lord last pitched Wednesday.

Ding Ding Ding! Winner!  Fernandez recalled.

[imref]

Fernandez back to AAA

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Fernandez back to AAA

I will guess Granillo is  back.

[Squab]

Zuckerman says The Great Cornelio is coming up tomorrow

Source: Nats to promote pitching prospect Cornelio on Friday
Riley Cornelio, who has become one of the Nationals' most-intriguing pitching prospects, will be called up from Triple-A before Friday's game

The Nationals are calling up right-hander Riley Cornelio, who over the last year has climbed the organizational ladder to become one of the club’s most-promising pitching prospects, and expect him to be available out of the bullpen Friday night in Chicago, a source familiar with the decision confirmed.

The club isn’t planning for now to start Cornelio in the series opener against the White Sox, though he’ll be on a full four days’ rest since his last start at Triple-A Rochester and could be available for a long-relief role behind scheduled starter Miles Mikolas. The Nats have used left-hander PJ Poulin as an opener for Mikolas each of his last two turns in the rotation, with Mikolas enjoying his best performance of the young season with four scoreless innings Sunday against the Giants.

Cornelio, whose promotion was first reported by The Athletic, has loomed as an intriguing potential call-up since impressing team officials during spring training, his first in big-league camp. A seventh-round pick in 2022 out of TCU, he put up nondescript numbers at low Single-A Fredericksburg in 2023 and high Single-A Wilmington in 2024 before breaking through last season.

In 27 total games split between Wilmington, Harrisburg and Rochester in 2025, Cornelio delivered a 3.28 ERA and 1.146 WHIP. That earned him organizational Pitcher of the Year honors and a spot on the 40-man roster, which includes an automatic invitation to big-league spring training.

With a new front office and coaching staff in place this spring, Cornelio impressed in two Grapefruit League relief appearances, allowing one run over five innings while striking out seven with zero walks and flashing a 97-mph fastball.

Though the notion of keeping Cornelio in their major-league bullpen was intriguing, the Nationals wanted to keep him on a starter’s schedule in Rochester. He came out of the gates strong, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in four starts, striking out 27 while walking only eight in 18 1/3 innings. He last pitched Sunday against Buffalo, allowing one run over five innings with nine strikeouts.

Whenever Cornelio makes his major-league debut, he’ll become the 22nd different pitcher used by the Nationals (who today played their 26th game) this season. He replaces reliever Julian Fernandez, who was optioned to Triple-A following today’s 7-2 loss to the Braves.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

8 walks in 18.1 IP is not good, but 27 Ks is. Good move. See something new. This staff can use  as many multi-inning relievers as it can get.

[Squab]

8 walks in 18.1 IP is not good, but 27 Ks is. Good move. See something new. This staff can use  as many multi-inning relievers as it can get.

i like the approach of having as many arms stretched out to throw 60-80 pitches as possible in our situation

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Parker, Lord, Cornelio can go multiple innings, and there's Alvarez who has nothing but success in the majors. You could see those arms, plus Lovelady, Perez, Beeter and Varland as a usable bullpen with the weak links being Perez and Lovelady.

Forgot Poulin. Could push Perez or Lovelady off the roster, but I suspect one of the multi inning guys will start.

[zoom]

What is a realistic (barring setbacks) timeline for Herrz? 

[Slateman]

What is a realistic (barring setbacks) timeline for Herrz? 

Realistic? September if not next year. Control is the last thing to come back after TJS and Herz didnt have enough before his injury

[JCA-CrystalCity]

If we are looking to add a non-roster player  to the 40 man and call him  up, the only guy on the short IL is  Cole Henry. With a rotator cuff strain, you wonder if he's just  a short  rest and bring back arm or whether he's a longer shut down and candidate for the 60 day IL.

[Squab]

maybe we’re about to sign Michael Kopech (ya right)

[imref]

Chaparro recalled. Gotta be another move coming, right?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Chaparro recalled. Gotta be another move coming, right?

can go with an extra position player, not an extra pitcher

But yes, hard to see them going to a 7 man bullpen

[welch]

Chaparro has been playing 3B and hitting a fat .227 with 1 homer, 10 RBIs, and .695 OPS. Slightly better numbers than Ortiz, but far below Yoyo.

[GataNats]

Chappy playing 3B must be a sight to see

[JCA-CrystalCity]

can go with an extra position player, not an extra pitcher

But yes, hard to see them going to a 7 man bullpen

bullpen is relatively well rested. Lord has had several  days,  Parker a couple, Beeter 3, etc ...

[Slateman]

Chaparro has been playing 3B and hitting a fat .227 with 1 homer, 10 RBIs, and .695 OPS. Slightly better numbers than Ortiz, but far below Yoyo.

Hes on the 40 man and hits LHP well. Its probably just to give CJ a day off