The Washington Nationals made their move before Wednesday’s matchup with the Chicago Cubs, designating right-handed pitcher Miles Mikolas for assignment as they continued to clear the way for younger arms.
The transaction came as the corresponding roster move to the promotion of left-hander Jackson Kent, who is set to make his major league debut and first MLB start. Washington waited until Wednesday to make the decision official.
Mikolas had been brought in on a one-year, $2.25 million deal in February with a fairly straightforward assignment: take the ball, log innings, and provide some veteran presence for a staff still taking shape. He handled the leadership part, but the results on the mound never came around. He leaves with a 5.89 ERA, and that number made this outcome feel inevitable.
The signs had been pointing this direction for a while, especially after another veteran right-hander, Zack Littell, was designated for assignment and then released a few days earlier. The Nationals were never banking on Mikolas to be a frontline performer.
He is a two-time All-Star, but his trajectory has been headed the wrong way since his Midsummer Classic appearance in 2022. Washington wanted experienced arms around a group of developing pitchers, and now that some of those young guys appear ready, the club has shifted its attention to the future.
Kent is the first beneficiary. His rise has been quick this season, moving from Double-A Harrisburg to Triple-A Rochester before earning his first shot in the majors.
There may be more opportunities coming behind him, too. Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reported that right-hander Brad Lord could get chances as a starter down the stretch, which is notable because that was the role this regime initially had in mind for the 26-year-old when spring training opened.
This move could also create a path for top prospect Luis Perales to debut later in the year. And if DJ Herz’s rehab assignment goes well this time, he could be in position to make his first big league appearances since 2024 after Tommy John surgery.
Mikolas’ exit also means Washington’s three major league signings from the offseason are all gone from the roster. Foster Griffin, signed after three years in Japan, was moved ahead of the trade deadline after a breakout year that earned him his first All-Star selection. Littell followed, first with the DFA and then with his release; he has since signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, giving him a chance to pitch meaningful games in the NL wild card race.
What comes next for Mikolas is still an open question. He didn’t draw a strong market last winter, but a team looking for a veteran innings-eater to finish out the season could still come calling.
For Washington, though, the direction is clear. The Nationals are a longshot to reach the playoffs, and with several young pitchers looking ready for the majors, this was the moment to lean into what’s next.
In Other News...
Jackson Kent Just Gave The Nationals Rotation Something To Think About
Jackson Kents first turn in a Nationals uniform came with the kind of mixed bag that can still leave a staff noticing. The left-hander made his major league debut against the Cubs, working into the fifth inning while allowing three runs on three hits and five walks, and he also showed enough swing-and-miss to finish with six strikeouts. For a rotation looking for any sign of stability, that kind of debut matters, especially from a pitcher the club has been developing rather than shopping for outside help.
Kents arrival also fit into a larger picture for Washington, which keeps cycling through arms and trying to uncover who can stick. His promotion came after the club moved on from Miles Mikolas, and Kent became the 31st pitcher developed by the Nationals to start a game for them. There is still plenty for the staff to sort through, but a debut like this at least gives them a reason to keep watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Nationals Depth Gets Tougher As Rochester Keeps Sending Players Up
Rochester has kept doing two jobs at once for the Nationals this season, winning games in the International League while also acting as the organizations most reliable source of reinforcements. The Red Wings have stayed competitive in the standings even as Washington has dipped into that roster for help, with Dylan Crews and Andrs Chaparro among the players who have moved up after appearing in Triple-A.
For the Nationals, that kind of pipeline is useful and unavoidable, but it also comes with a cost. Every promotion thins out the depth chart a little more, especially on the pitching side and among position players, and Rochester has had to keep reloading while still trying to hold its place in the league race. [Read more 🡒]
Jacob Young Is Becoming A Nationals Development Win Nobody Saw Coming
Jacob Youngs offense has become one of the more interesting developments in Washington this season, especially for a player whose value was once built almost entirely on speed and defense. The added power has been backed up by real changes in his underlying hitting profile, with improved launch angle and bat speed showing up alongside a better overall offensive feel. It is the kind of step forward the Nationals have been trying to manufacture throughout their rebuild, and in Youngs case it has come from a mix of coaching and a more refined approach at the plate.
The broader picture matters here, too, because not every young Nationals hitter has made the same kind of leap. The article points to offensive regressions from Nasim Nunez and Daylen Lile, a reminder that development is never linear and that the clubs hitting work has not solved everything at once. Still, Youngs progress suggests Washington may have found a player who is translating those lessons more cleanly than most, and the next question is how much more he can keep adding as the season goes on. [Read more 🡒]