With 11 relievers and eight spots, the Washington Nationals cut one of the more experienced arms available in spring training
Shortly ahead of the final game for the Washington Nationals in Florida with spring training coming to a close, the front office made one more roster decision with its pitching staff.
Right handed pitcher Drew Smith has been unconditionally released, trimming the race to a finalized 2026 bullpen ahead of year one of Simon Matthews overseeing the unit.
Smith, 32, initially signed with the Nationals back on Feb. 16 on a minor league deal, adding another possibility as an upgrade rotation ahead of the 2026 season. But that never materialized after Smith did not appear in a game for the Nationals.
The veteran pitcher also arrived with a chip on his shoulder after missing the entirety of the 2025 season after recovering from Tommy John surgery. In 19 relief appearances, Smith went 1-1 with a 3.06 ERA and two saves with the New York Mets in 2024. Over 192 games in his career, Smith is 12-13 with a 3.48 ERA and five saves.
His departure also means just three more are set to be cut with eight spots available. Washington has a trio of left handers in Cionel Perez, PJ Paulin and Ken Waldichuk along with eight right handers. Clayton Beeter and Cole Henry are among those after battling for the vacant closing role, while Andre Granillo, Brad Lord, Gus Garland, Griff McGarry, Paxton Schultz and Orlando Ribalta round out the pitchers still in the mix less than one week before Opening Day.
It also marks the latest roster decision after the Nationals sent both catcher Harry Ford and outfielder Dylan Crews to Triple A Rochester to begin the 2026, though Smith's decision is far less surprising.
With just two days left to make an impression, the Nationals will look to capitalize beginning on Sunday in the first of two games of the unofficial 'Beltway Series' with the Nationals set to face the Baltimore Orioles in a home and home over the next two days to complete the preseason.
The Nationals also enter the final two days leading the league in fewest hits allowed (157), opponent batting average (.190) and earned runs (76) while also ranked tied for second in home runs allowed (19) through spring training, an encouraging development after a lackluster showing in 2025 and consistently bearish outlooks in year one under Blake Butera. Whether the Nationals are able to sustain it in the regular season, and consistently, is the next question, but first, finalizing the roster remains the top priority with the final round of roster cuts looming.