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The Washington Nationals have already begun their offseason maneuvering. In a recent move, the club claimed right-handed reliever Braxton Roxby off waivers, a decision made by president of baseball operations Paul Toboni. To make room on the roster, fellow right-hander Zak Kent was designated for assignment, bringing his time with the Nationals to an end.
This winter is expected to be a busy one for Washington, with Toboni and his front office planning to make a few impactful additions while also tending to smaller roster adjustments. Given that, the team's crowded 40-man roster will force some tough choices before Opening Day 2027.
60-Day Injured List Decisions
The first order of business for the Nationals is determining which players from the 60-day injured list they wish to retain. Once the group of Mitchell Parker, Ken Waldichuk, PJ Poulin, Matt Waldron, and Drew Millas must be activated, Washington's roster will swell to 45, exceeding the 40-man limit. Naturally, players like Parker, Waldichuk, and Waldron could become designated for assignment candidates as the team looks to overhaul its pitching staff.
Millas is another name to monitor. He made the Opening Day roster in 2026 ahead of top prospect Harry Ford, but an injury to Millas paved the way for Ford's call-up. Millas had not contributed much before landing on the shelf, and with Ford now having gained extended big league experience, the catching duo of Keibert Ruiz and Ford appears to be the future for Washington. It would not be surprising if the team decides to part ways with Millas to trim the roster.
Non-Tender Candidates
The non-tender front is another area where significant movement is expected. When Toboni was hired last year, many anticipated he would immediately reshape the roster. Instead, he used the 2026 season to evaluate the major league roster and the entire organization. After that extended assessment, changes are likely coming this time around, and several players could be non-tendered.
The first player to watch is Jake Irvin. The veteran right-hander was below average again this past season, following a 2025 campaign in which he posted a 5.70 ERA. He finished this year with a 5.48 ERA and has failed to reach the 80 ERA+ mark in back-to-back seasons. With a clear need to upgrade the entire staff, replacing Irvin should be a top priority.
Jose Tena is another option on the position player side. He was primarily a bench bat in 2026, and with Yohandy Morales in line for more reps at third base, moving on from Tena could happen early in the offseason.
Overall, expect plenty of roster movement for the Nationals throughout the offseason, especially if the front office is serious about making the upgrades needed to contend for a playoff spot next year.