The Washington Nationals announced several additional pitching moves after dropping the series against the Toronto Blue Jays
The Washington Nationals had a chance to secure its fourth straight series win since the All Star break. Instead, the Toronto Blue Jays scored three runs in the eighth inning to take the late lead that proved too much for the Nationals to overcome in an eventual 5-2 finish. Shortly after, additional moves for the pitching staff materialized.
The Nationals announced that Paxton Schultz has been optioned back down to Triple A Rochester.
After allowing one walk and getting out of his lone inning he appeared in just 17 pitches in Monday's loss, his second and ultimately final appearance proved to be a much different tale.
Schultz replaced Orlando Ribalta on the mound in the eighth inning, and after forcing a groundout to open the frame, consecutive hits allowed the Blue Jays to add three more runs that proved to be the difference on Wednesday. Trevor Williams then replaced Schultz after just 0.2 innings, ending his appearance with three earned runs and four hits allowed on 32 pitches, as a strikeout ended the frame.
Matt Krook, who was designated for assignment on Monday among a flurry of pitching moves, cleared outright waivers and was designated to Triple A Rochester, but elected to declare free agency in lieu of accepting the assignment. Krook arrived in Washington looking to turn the page from what proved to be a struggling stint with the Athletics, but he didn't fare too much better in a Nationals uniform after posting a 7.71 ERA and 2.14 WHIP across 4.2 innings. All four earned runs came across just 0.1 innings across against the New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks as the Nationals split his appearances, yet his two earned runs allowed in the ninth inning against Arizona added late concern before Clayton Beeter replaced him to record the save.
Meanwhile, manager Blake Butera finalized the rotation for this weekend's series after naming Jake Irvin as the starter on Thursday night. The right hander will now set the pace for the Nationals in a pivotal four-game series against the Atlanta Braves, who hold an eight-game lead over the Nationals in the division while Wednesday's loss pushes Washington two games back from the final Wild Card spot.
Irvin, 29, last pitched back on May 23 after being placed on the injured list following a shoulder strain. In 11 starts in 2026, Irvin owns a 5.23 ERA and 2-4 record with 58 strikeouts against 22 walks in 51.2 innings.
