The Washington Nationals have added another intriguing arm on a minor league contract, while designating another for assignment after clearing waivers.
It's been a flurry of roster moves for the Washington Nationals over the last 24 hours after inking infielder Sergio Alcantara to a minor league contract on Tuesday afternoon, only to claim shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng off waivers from the New York Mets hours later, a move that also sent Konnor Pilkington for assignment. But that wasn't the last bit of roster news on Wednesday.
The Washington Nationals have reportedly signed pitcher Grant Manning, who closed out his college career with the Virginia Tech Hokies.
This marks the first professional opportunity for Manning, who played the last two seasons at Virginia tech where he went 7-3 with a combined 5.92 ERA while allowing 15 home runs and tossing 114 strikeouts. He was lights out of the bullpen with a 3.79 ERA over 12 appearances with nearly 12 strikeouts over nine innings pitched.
He played his first four seasons at Division III Chapman where across 40 appearances and 218 innings pitched, Manning tossed 217 strikeouts to 62 walks while he posted an ERA below four in each of his final three seasons. He also suited up in the MLB Draft League where he appeared in 14 games, finished with a 3-1 record while notching three saves in five opportunities. Manning also tossed 19 strikeouts to seven walks in over 15 innings pitched.
He becomes the latest pitcher added on a minor league contract after the Nationals have already announced the signings pitchers Trevor Gott and Zach Penrod, along with catcher Tres Barrera and Mickey Gasper.
The Nationals also announced that catcher Riley Adams has cleared waivers and accepted his assignment to Triple-A Rochester, a move made possible after the team announced the claim of reliever Gus Varland from the Arizona Diamondbacks one week ago.
It marks a notable return for the Nationals' farm system while Adams avoided arbitration earlier this offseason after the two sides agreed to a split contract in November, paying him $1 million for his time in the majors and $500,000 in the minor league.
Adams, who joined the organization in July 2021 via trade, opened the 2024 season on the 40-man roster before being optioned to Triple-A. Keibert Ruiz's injury in 2025 paved the way for more playing time in 2025 as Adams finished with eight home runs and 24 RBIs while slashing .186/.252/.308 across 83 games.
Adams marks a key option behind the plate for the Nationals with Ruiz expected to open the 2026 season as the Opening Day starter, while offseason trade acquisition Harry Ford will look to disrupt the depth chart after drawing buzz as the most intriguing new National this offseason.