Washington Nationals Call Up Eddy Yean, DFA Robert Hassell III

The Washington Nationals dropped the series against the Pittsburgh Pirates after falling 11-5 in the rubber match on Sunday afternoon, but it also came with another roster move that allowed a longtime pitcher to add some different juice to the bullpen for the first time in his career.

Eddy Yean made his debut in Sunday's loss, replacing Cade Cavalli in the second inning in what proved to be a struggling performance before tossing a pair of no-hit innings with three strikeouts sprinkled in.

Yean, 25, originally began his professional career with the Washington Nationals after signing as an international amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic back in 2017, giving him a chance to begin in the minors while being ranked the sixth-best prospect in Washington's farm system in 2020. Yet after two seasons, Yean was included in a trade to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Josh Bell on Christmas Eve where he went on to pitch through High-A into Double-A then Triple-A.

His second stint in Washington materialized after inking a minor league contract back on Nov. 15 last season before joining the team in Triple A Rochester to open 2026. Through 39 games and 40 innings pitched, Yean has recorded 45 strikeouts and allowed five home runs with a 3.60 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.

Yet he is expected to head back down to Triple A Rochester to pave the way for Matt Krook, who was claimed off waivers from the Athletics on Saturday.

While the debut of Yean marked a welcomed moment, it also came after the Nationals made a surprising announcement that outfielder Robert Hassell III was designated for assignment despite playing 70 games for the Nationals in 2025. Yet the athletic outfielder, who also stuck out at points in spring training, is also part of the logjam in the outfield where he's been stuck in Triple A Rochester to open the season.

In 63 games with Rochester in 2026, Hassell is hitting .215 with a pair of home runs and 21 RBIs across nearly 260 plate appearances. Hassell also owns a concerning 25.9% strikeout rate in 2026 and has already eclipsed last season's strikeout total with the Nationals despite playing in seven fewer games so far in Rochester. Whether the 24 year old catches on elsewhere will be determined the rest of the week, though it also marks a notable move given Hassell arrived in Washington as a prized prospect in the return haul for Juan Soto.

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