The Washington Nationals' roster movement continued into Friday after claiming another off waivers and designating one more for assignment
Another day, another roster decision is in for the Washington Nationals front office.
The team announced that they have claimed right hander George Soriano off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. The Braves designated him for assignment earlier this week after claiming Jose Suarez off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.
To make room for Soriano, the team also designated Tsung-Che Chung for assignment. The Nationals claimed Chung off waivers on Wednesday from the New York Mets.
Just as we cautioned on Thursday, this also signals the latest move with a sign that the front office and president of baseball Paul Toboni will continue to tweak the spring training roster through whatever means necessary, waiver, free agency or trade, just as he cautioned following the MacKenzie Gore trade.
As for Soriano, this could mark his second stint with the organization. He was originally claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles in the closing month of the 2025 season, then designated for assignment following the trade of Jhonkensky Noel days into 2026. Soriano was then claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves on Jan. 9, then designated for assignment 17 days later to allow the Nationals to possibly bring him back.
Soriano began his professional career with the Miami Marlins after signing as an international free agent back in August 2015. He then made his professional debut the following season with the Dominican Summer League Marlins before missing the 2017 season due to injury. After making a full return in 2018, Soriano finished with 36 strikeouts and a 1.91 ERA in 42 innings, three starts and 11 appearances.
He also made 20 starts and 23 appearances in Single-A in 2019, finishing with 99 strikeouts in just shy of 120 innings pitched and a 3.91 ERA paired with a 4-7 record.
Soriano then split the 2022 season before Double and Triple A where across six starts and 40 appearances, he posted 85 strikeouts in 76 innings, six starts and 40 a 2.72 ERA. He also notched eight save opportunities before being elevated to the Marlins' 40-man roster at the end of the 2022 season to avoid Rule 5 draft. Soriano also began the 2023 season in Triple A before being recalled to the 40-man roster, appearing in 26 games where he recorded 52 strikeouts and one save in over 52 innings pitched with a 3.81 ERA.
In his final season with the Marlins, Soriano contributed to a combined no-hitter against the Nashville Sounds on June 27, 2025. He finished the season with a 4-1 record and 2.32 ERA with 49 strikeouts and a pair of saves across 29 appearances.