Washington Nationals Add Another Reliever, Move Addition to IL

The Washington Nationals made a pair of pitching moves on Saturday, including a new acquisition in the bullpen.

Veteran right handed pitcher Matt Waldron is the latest addition to the Nationals' roster after the team announce he was claimed on outright waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, giving him a fresh start elsewhere in 2026.

This marks the third team this season for the 29 year after making ten appearances in his fourth season with the Padres, owning a 7.16 ERA and 1.56 WHIP with 28 strikeouts across 32.2 innings. Waldron was then claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays where he made four appearances through August, though he allowed five earned runs and seven hits over his last two appearances and 2.1 combined innings.

Waldron owns a 7.54 ERA through 37 innings in 2026 with 31 strikeouts tossed to 50 hits allowed. The veteran is on pace for his second consecutive season eclipsing a seven ERA, while Waldron has carved out a role for his knuckleball as he looks ahead at the chance for a fresh start.

The Nationals also announced an additional corresponding roster move after announcing that left handed pitcher Connelly Early, who was acquired ahead of the trade deadline in exchange for Curtis Mead, has been moved to the 60 day injured list. Though it marked a deflating announcement, the newest Nationals starter will still be eligible to return this season given he was first placed on the 15 day injury list back on July 1, making him eligible to return in roughly another week.

Whether Early does actually return may be its own question mark after president of baseball operations Paul Toboni revealed the former Boston Red Sox pitcher battled through elbow discomfort following his first scheduled rehab outing on Aug. 3 after he was traded, while the outing was also scheduled prior to the trade announced. Though Toboni noted he was still optimistic in a debut materializing this season, the Nationals announced that Early's rehab program was paused as the team stays cautious with the expected starter and all eyes on his impact in the potential 2027 rotation that will be at the source of all offseason attention.

The Nationals saw another new face step up on Saturday after left handed pitcher Erik Tolman, who was called up on Wednesday from Triple A Rochester, gave up one hit and tossed one strikeout in one inning in his MLB debut and eventual 4-2 loss against the Miami Marlins.