The Washington Nationals have added another arm to the bullpen ahead of Friday's series against the Milwaukee Brewers
Ahead of the start of the three game series at home against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Washington Nationals have reportedly made a move to upgrade the pitching staff.
Former New York Mets relief pitcher Max Kranick has reportedly signed with the Washington Nationals on Friday morning, becoming the latest addition to the Nationals 2026 roster.
Kranick, 28, heads to Washington looking to prove himself once again after a shaky 2025 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 New York Mets scooped Kranick off waivers one week later where he split time across the minor leagues, tallying 13 strikeouts and a 4.30 ERA across 14.2 innings. He then made the Mets Opening Day roster to begin the 2025 regular season before being optioned down to Triple A where he split time the rest of the season.
In 24 appearances in 2025, Kranick registered a 3.65 ERA and 25 strikeouts while posting a 3-2 record in over 37 innings pitched.
Yet his 2025 season would need season-ending surgery yet again after undergoing flexor tendon surgery after initially being pegged to undergo Tommy John surgery. The Mets non-tendered Kranick back on Nov. 21 to make him an available free agent, setting the stage for president of baseball operations Paul Toboni to eventually sign him as a potential answer in the bullpen.
The news comes days after the Nationals made several roster moves amid injuries in across the pitching staff with Clayton Beeter joining Cole Henry on the injured list, while Ken Waldichuk remains sidelined long term. As manager Blake Butera has turned in-house as he and pitching coach Simon Matthews look to find answers, Kranick arrives looking to serve as a boost in the bullpen with Washington entering Friday's series with a 5.08 team ERA, the second worst in baseball behind the Houston Astros.
The free agent signing proved to be one of two moves made by the Nationals on Friday morning after also trading Triple A infielder Zack Short to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash consideration.