Notes as the Washington Nationals add a new amateur scout, update on Sunday games on NBC and/or Peacock, National catcher set to appear in the World Baseball Classic and an arbitration update
The Washington Nationals made a pair of roster moves in the bullpen on Friday to stay at the 40-man roster limit by the start of the weekend, but there was also additional news around the league with notes on a new scout, TV scheduling details and an honor for a new National acquired this offseason.
New amateur scout...the Nationals will have a new amateur scout on board, and one fans are familiar with, after Peter Flaherty of Baseball America has joined the organization as a Northeast area scout, he announced in his podcast on Friday. Flaherty has served as a national writer/analyst for Baseball America since December 2022 after previously serving as an associate scout and staff assistant with the New York Yankees for two years beginning in 2022. It's a notable move with Flaherty's draft expertise giving the Nationals a popular and respected name among baseball fans now inside an organization featuring youth in its leadership positions.
Peacock schedule...NBC and Peacock released their Sunday TV schedule for the 2026 season with the Nationals drawing four time slots all set for a noon opening pitch. The May 10 road game against the Marlins will mark the second game of the weekly Sunday Leadoff schedule, while the June 7 road game against the Arizona Diamondbacks will also stream on Peacock. A pair of home games in August - Aug. 9 against the Cincinnati Reds and Aug. 30 against the Miami Marlins - will be broadcast on either NBC or Peacock. The Nationals will also host the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 5 for a 1 PM opening pitch on Peacock on July 5th MLB 'Star Spangled Sunday,' NBC announced.
World Baseball Classic...after telling local media of his intentions to do so after being traded to Washington, new Nationals catcher Harry Ford is confirmed to play for Great Britain in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Ford previously played for Great Britain in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and in 2022, hitting .375/.500/1.125 across the two tournament appearances with five home runs and 12 RBIs. His home run against Columbia also lifted Great Britain to an upset over Columbia for Great Britain's first-ever win in the tournament, while a three-run home run against Canada in 2023 made Ford the youngest player to hit a home run in a World Baseball Classic game. Great Britain will also feature as one of the team's leaders alongside Jazz Chisholm Jr. with the team selected in Pool B alongside the United State, Mexico, Italy and Brazil with games to be played in Houston.
Arbitration miss...the Nationals avoided arbitration with all but one player ahead of the deadline this week with pitcher Cade Cavalli still unresolved. While pitcher Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers enter arbitration with the biggest gap in MLB history, the Nationals are on the opposite end of the spectrum with the two sides reportedly close on the number. Jeff Passan of ESPN released filing numbers across the league with the National looking to pay Cavalli $825,000 with Cavalli seeking $900,000 - making the $75,000 difference the smallest across the league.