The Nationals used their off day to add some extra depth, bringing in veteran infielder Buddy Kennedy on a minor league deal after the San Francisco Giants designated him for assignment a few days ago.
Kennedy, 27, joins the organization after a 2026 season that split cleanly between strong Triple-A production and rough major league results. In 48 games at Triple-A this year, he hit .321/.424/.543 with a .967 OPS, along with 8 home runs and 33 RBIs. He also walked 27 times and struck out 27 times, a sign of the patient approach that helped him get on base so often.
The big-league numbers, though, told a different story. Kennedy got looks from both the Giants and Seattle Mariners, but in parts of 25 games in the majors he managed only a .116/.224/.140 line with a .364 OPS.
For the Nationals, the move gives the club another layer of organizational depth as they head into a series against the 2-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. It also helps fill a need in Rochester, where the Red Wings recently lost Yohandy Morales to the Nationals as a September call-up. With Seaver King also in the mix as a possible debut candidate this season, the extra infield help makes sense.
Kennedy has appeared in the majors across parts of 5 seasons dating back to 2021 and has already played for 6 different teams. If Washington eventually calls him up, it would be his 7th team. For now, he gives the Nationals another option if they need it.
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Nationals Farm System Suddenly Has A Health And Depth Story To Watch
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Wilmington also had a more noteworthy development attached to the box score, since the clubs pitching mix may be getting thinner in the short term. Josiah Gray was transferred to MLB rehab from Wilmington, which puts even more attention on how the Nationals manage the arms moving through the system while the upper levels try to stay steady and the lower levels keep producing. [Read more 🡒]
Nationals Face A Tough Call With Their Top Prospect
The Nationals gave their September roster a small jolt by bringing up rookies Yohandy Morales and Jared Simpson, but the move also drew attention to the player who stayed put. Seaver King, Washingtons top prospect, was not part of the call-up group, even as the organization continues to monitor his development and weigh when the right time might be to give him his first major league shot.
Paul Toboni suggested King is nearing that point, but the timing remains murky as the club balances readiness with broader roster considerations. There is also the added wrinkle of the looming MLB lockout, which could shape how Washington handles Kings path and whether the Nationals want to start his service-time clock before the end of 2026. [Read more 🡒]
Nationals Face A Big Jarlin Susana Question After His Return
Jarlin Susana has long been one of the more intriguing arms in the Nationals system, a power pitcher whose fastball and slider have made him a highly regarded prospect. After a stretch interrupted by injuries, he has recently returned to pitching following surgery, giving Washington a fresh look at one of its most talented young arms and a reminder of how much upside still sits in the pipeline.
The bigger question now is what comes next for Susana once he is fully back on the mound. The Nationals have not said they intend to move him out of a starting role, but the conversation around his future has grown louder because of the physical wear he has already absorbed. For a club trying to map out its next wave of pitching, Susanas path is one to watch closely. [Read more 🡒]