The Nationals are heading into a long homestand after a rough road trip that ended with a sweep in Miami, and while the club’s playoff chances are virtually gone, there’s still plenty to sort through as the season keeps moving.
One of those storylines circles back to a familiar name from the Nationals’ own roster shuffle earlier this month. Zack Littell, who spent a handful of months in Washington’s rotation before being designated for assignment at the beginning of August right after the deadline, has been DFA’d again - this time by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Littell landed with Arizona soon after leaving Washington and made an immediate positive impression in his first outing as a bulk reliever. In that appearance, he followed another former National, Michael Soroka, and picked up a win.
That bright start didn’t last. Littell was hit hard in his next two outings, allowing 6 earned runs on 11 hits against the Red Sox and then giving up 4 earned runs on 8 hits in just 3.2 innings against the Reds. Arizona moved on from him on Sunday, ending a brief stint that now leaves his MLB career in doubt.
For Washington, the development offers at least a small bit of vindication. The Nationals’ front office can point to Littell’s quick exit from a team in the playoff hunt and feel better about its own decision to move on.
The original confusion around the move came from the fact that Littell was sent packing before Miles Mikolas, who was also let go just a few days later after crossing the 10-year service mark.
In Other News...
Marlins Still Finished The Sweep After One Play Stole The Spotlight
For one moment in Miami, Jacob Young made the kind of play that can change the mood of an entire game. The Nationals center fielder went up and brought back a drive that had looked headed for the seats, drawing praise afterward from pitcher Jackson Kent, manager Blake Butera and even Marlins manager Clayton McCullough.
It was the sort of highlight Washington could point to and still not feel much better about the final result. The Nationals still left town with a sweep hanging over them, and at 61-71, the bigger picture remains the same: the flashes are there, but too often they are buried under losses. [Read more 🡒]
Nationals Just Opened A Real Door For Seaver King
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Seaver King is suddenly closer to the conversation than he was a few weeks ago. The 2024 draftee has taken a step forward in the minors this season, and Washington now has a cleaner path to evaluate what he can do at the position that has been unsettled all year. If the progress keeps coming, the Nationals may not have to wait long before deciding whether King is part of the everyday answer on the left side of the infield. [Read more 🡒]
Jacob Young Is Forcing A Nationals Outfield Rethink
Jacob Young has spent this season doing more than just holding down center field for the Nationals. The 27-year-old has long been valued for his elite defense, but he has also taken a real step forward at the plate, giving Washington a more complete player than the one it thought it had a year ago. His .703 OPS and 95 wRC+ are still not superstar numbers, but they represent meaningful progress for a player whose glove was always the carrying tool.
The bigger issue for the Nationals is what that growth means for the rest of their outfield picture. Young has outplayed higher-profile young names like Dylan Crews and Robert Hassell, and he credits a revamped hitting approach developed at Driveline for the turnaround. With Young now looking like a legitimate everyday piece instead of just a defensive specialist, Washington has to reassess how much of its outfield future is actually settled and how much is still up for grabs. [Read more 🡒]