Washington Nationals Acquire Minor League Pitcher from Colorado

The Washington Nationals have made another pitching move involving a starting pitcher who was recently sent back down to the minors.

The Nationals announced on Monday afternoon that the team has acquired left handed pitcher Carson Palmquist from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for cash considerations. With the move, Palmquist has also been optioned to Triple A Rochester with the news coming days after the Rockies also designated the 25 year old for assignment and removed from the 40-man roster, making space for infielder Chad Stevens.

Palmquist also arrives with the organization looking forward to a fresh start after owning a 7.20 ERA and 2.16 WHIP in 25 innings pitched and 12 starts in Triple A this season. He last pitched in the majors during the 2025 season where he posted an 0-4 record, 8.91 ERA and 2.04 WHIP across 34.1 innings pitched, seven starts and nine total appearances. He also finished the season with 27 strikeouts to 25 walks , though he allowed at least two earned runs in every start.

His arrival also comes with another roster move after the Nationals moved Max Kranick to the 60 day injured list.

Kranick was announced by the organization earlier this month after signing with the organization to a one year deal with a club option for the 2027 season.

The right handed pitcher made his pro debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates back in 2016 after being selected in the 11th round of the draft, but it wasn't until 2021 when he made his debut in the MLB. Kranick went on to post a 6.28 ERA and 1.71 WHIP while posting a 2-3 record across nine appearances and 38.2 innings pitched, tallying a 1.7 strikeout to walk rate.

He followed it up with just two appearances during the 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June, sidelining him up until the Pirates activated him from the injured list on Sept. 1, 2023. Yet he never appeared for the Pirates again after returning from injury, instead being designated for assignment four months later.

The Nationals, meanwhile, will look to get back over .500 when they continue their road trip into Cleveland to take on the Guardians for a three-game series beginning Monday evening.

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