Washington Nationals sign pitcher who shined in Japan to one-year deal

The Washington Nationals added another arm on Tuesday afternoon after signing left handed pitcher Foster Griffin, who has been eyeing a return to the major leagues after a strong three year career in Japan.

Griffin, a former first-round pick by the Kansas City Royals in 2014, joins the organization on a one year, $5.5 million contract that could grow to $6.5 million, per Robert Murray of FanSided.

Griffin was reportedly drawing several interest suitors with MLB Trade Rumors reporting that as many as eight teams have spoken to the 30-year-old pitcher with "varying levels of interest."

Now, he joins a Nationals rotation looking to upgrade amid continued rumors that MacKenzie Gore could be on his way out with teams circling as a possible offseason trade still looms into 2026.

Griffin debuted with the Kansas City Royals in 2020 where he posted one strikeout in 1.2 innings, his long appearance of the season. Griffin, who lost the 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, then pitched in the minor leagues in 2022 before throwing 6.1 innings for both the Royals and Toronto Blue Jays.

With the Yomiuri Giants in Japan, Griffin re-signed after his first season where he went on to post a 2.57 ERA with 78 walks and 318 strikeouts in 315.2 innings, posting striking out batters at a 25.1% rate against just 18 home runs.

"Griffin still doesn’t throw particularly hard, sitting in the low 90s with his fastball, but he works with a deep arsenal. He primarily relies on a four-seamer, slider, cutter and changeup (in that order) but also mixes in a splitter, curve and two-seamer on occasion," MLB Trade Rumors wrote.

This marks Griffin's first appearance back in the MLB after reports surfaced in mid-October that he was looking to make his return back to the states.

"LHP Foster Griffin returning to MLB after 3 dominant seasons for Yomiuri Giants. 2.57 ERA. 1.03 WHIP. 1K/IP," Jon Heyman wrote on X.

He becomes the latest pitching addition for the Nationals after president of baseball operations Paul Toboni completed a trade with the Boston Red Sox, his former club, on Monday night after sending Jake Bennett in exchange for right handed pitcher Luis Perales. The Nationals also signed Amin Ramirez, an 18-year-old international pitcher, to a minor league contract on Tuesday.

Of course, MacKenzie Gore continues to be at the forefront of the Nationals' storylines with rumors swirling in and out of winter meetings last week, though Toboni has remained consistent that shortstop CJ Abrams is less likely to be moved.