2026 Washington Nationals season

2026 Washington Nationals
LeagueNational League
DivisionEast
BallparkNationals Park
CityWashington, D.C.
OwnersLerner Enterprises
President of baseball operationsPaul Toboni
General managerAnirudh Kilambi
ManagerBlake Butera
TelevisionMASN
Radio106.7 The Fan
Washington Nationals Radio Network

The 2026 Washington Nationals season will be the Nationals' 22nd season as the Major League Baseball franchise in the District of Columbia, the 19th season at Nationals Park, and the 58th since the original team was started in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

This will be the first season under new President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni, new general manager Anirudh Kilambi, and new manager Blake Butera.

Offseason

Front office

The Nationals finished out the 2025 season under interim general manager Mike DeBartolo, after dismissing president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez in July.[1]

Within days of their season ending with a 66–96 record, good for last place in the National League East Division, the Nationals announced the hiring of 35-year-old Boston Red Sox assistant general manager Paul Toboni as their new president of baseball operations,[2] with DeBartolo remaining with the organization as an assistant general manager and senior vice president.[3][4] Several other members of the front office, including longtime assistant general managers Eddie Longosz and Mark Scialabba, were not retained.[5] Toboni made several key additions to his leadership team, including Philadelphia Phillies assistant general manager Anirudh Kilambi as general manager,[6] former colleague and Red Sox scouting director Devin Pearson[7] and Pittsburgh Pirates scouting director Justin Horowitz as assistant general managers,[8] and Red Sox field coordinator Andrew Wright as his special assistant.[4]

Coaching staff

The 2025 Nationals coaching staff's contracts expired after the end of the World Series.[9]

While Washington was linked in media reports to 2025 interim manager Miguel Cairo, former Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, former Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, Portland Sea Dogs manager Chad Epperson, Cleveland Guardians bench coach Craig Albernaz, and Los Angeles Dodgers bench coach Danny Lehmann,[10] Toboni's choice for the new manager of the Nationals was a surprise: 33-year-old Blake Butera, the Tampa Bay Rays senior director of player development and two-time Carolina League Manager of the Year.[11] Upon their hiring, both Butera and Toboni were the youngest people in Major League Baseball to hold their positions, respectively as team manager and top executive.[12]

As Butera's coaching staff came together, the Nationals retained just one holdover from its 2024–25 coaches: former Nationals closer Sean Doolittle, who was given the position of assistant pitching coach after two seasons as a pitching strategist.[13] The average age of the coaching staff dropped from 51 in 2025 to about 36, as The Washington Post reported, with several of Butera's coaches still in their 20s and 30s. Many of the new coaches came to the Nationals from backgrounds in player development—such as minor league and winter league manager Víctor Estévez, hired as third base/infield coach, and Indiana University pitching coach Dustin Glant, joining Doolittle as an assistant pitching coach.[14]

Player development system

More than a dozen minor league coaches and player development staff members were dismissed early in the offseason.[15] Among other areas of the Nationals organization, Toboni moved to overhaul the player development side, staffing it with hitting and pitching coordinators for the lower and higher minor league levels, under directors to provide a cohesive approach up and down the minor league system.[16][17]

The Nationals hired away minor league pitching coordinator Grayson Crawford from the division-rival New York Mets to be their new director of pitching.[18] They hired C. J. Gillman, previously a minor league hitting coordinator with the Seattle Mariners,[19] as their director of hitting.[16]

Washington also invested in more technology and training equipment, one of the major offseason priorities for Toboni and Pearson, to enhance player development.[17]

Roster

The Nationals removed several players from the roster before the end of the 2025 World Series: relievers Shinnosuke Ogasawara, Eduardo Salazar, and Mason Thompson and catchers Jorge Alfaro and C. J. Stubbs.[20] Reliever Derek Law, first baseman Josh Bell, and third baseman Paul DeJong became free agents as their contracts expired.[21] Relievers Zach Brzykcy and Ryan Loutos and infielder Trey Lipscomb were also trimmed from the roster days later.[22] Washington tendered new contracts to starting pitchers Cade Cavalli, MacKenzie Gore, Josiah Gray, and Jake Irvin and to infielders CJ Abrams and Luis García Jr., who were each eligible for arbitration. They agreed to terms with catcher Riley Adams on a one-year contract ahead of the non-tender deadline.[23]

The team protected three prospects eligible for the Rule 5 draft by adding them to the roster: pitchers Jake Bennett and Riley Cornelio and outfielder Christian Franklin.[24] The Nationals were active in the Rule 5 draft themselves, selecting Philadelphia pitching prospect Griff McGarry to the major league roster.[25]

Toboni executed his first trade at the helm of the Nationals on December 6, 2025, sending closer José A. Ferrer to the Seattle Mariners for prospects Harry Ford and Isaac Lyon.[26] He then traded Bennett to the Red Sox for another pitching prospect, Luis Perales.[27] Toboni also publicly acknowledged the Nationals were listening to offers for other players with multiple years of team control, with trade speculation focusing mainly on Gore and Abrams.[28]

Offseason transactions

Game log

Legend
  Nationals win
  Nationals loss
  Postponement
Bold Nationals team member
2026 Game Log: 0–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
March/April: 0–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Streak
1 March 26 @ Cubs — (—) (—) — —
2 March 28 @ Cubs — (—) (—) — —
3 March 29 @ Cubs — (—) (—) — —
4 March 30 @ Phillies — (—) (—) — —
5 March 31 @ Phillies — (—) (—) — —
6 April 1 @ Phillies — (—) (—) — —
7 April 3 Dodgers — (—) (—) — —
8 April 4 Dodgers — (—) (—) — —
9 April 5 Dodgers — (—) (—) — —
10 April 6 Cardinals — (—) (—) — —
11 April 7 Cardinals — (—) (—) — —
12 April 8 Cardinals — (—) (—) — —
13 April 10 @ Brewers — (—) (—) — —
14 April 11 @ Brewers — (—) (—) — —
15 April 12 @ Brewers — (—) (—) — —
16 April 13 @ Pirates — (—) (—) — —
17 April 14 @ Pirates — (—) (—) — —
18 April 15 @ Pirates — (—) (—) — —
19 April 16 @ Pirates — (—) (—) — —
20 April 17 Giants — (—) (—) — —
21 April 18 Giants — (—) (—) — —
22 April 19 Giants — (—) (—) — —
23 April 20 Braves — (—) (—) — —
24 April 21 Braves — (—) (—) — —
25 April 22 Braves — (—) (—) — —
26 April 23 Braves — (—) (—) — —
27 April 24 @ White Sox — (—) (—) — —
28 April 25 @ White Sox — (—) (—) — —
29 April 26 @ White Sox — (—) (—) — —
30 April 28 @ Mets — (—) (—) — —
31 April 29 @ Mets — (—) (—) — —
32 April 30 @ Mets — (—) (—) — —
May: 0–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Streak
33 May 1 Brewers — (—) (—) — —
34 May 2 Brewers — (—) (—) — —
35 May 3 Brewers — (—) (—) — —
36 May 5 Twins — (—) (—) — —
37 May 6 Twins — (—) (—) — —
38 May 7 Twins — (—) (—) — —
39 May 8 @ Marlins — (—) (—) — —
40 May 9 @ Marlins — (—) (—) — —
41 May 10 @ Marlins — (—) (—) — —
42 May 12 @ Reds — (—) (—) — —
43 May 13 @ Reds — (—) (—) — —
44 May 14 @ Reds — (—) (—) — —
45 May 15 Orioles — (—) (—) — —
46 May 16 Orioles — (—) (—) — —
47 May 17 Orioles — (—) (—) — —
48 May 18 Mets — (—) (—) — —
49 May 19 Mets — (—) (—) — —
50 May 20 Mets — (—) (—) — —
51 May 21 Mets — (—) (—) — —
52 May 22 @ Braves — (—) (—) — —
53 May 23 @ Braves — (—) (—) — —
54 May 24 @ Braves — (—) (—) — —
55 May 25 @ Guardians — (—) (—) — —
56 May 26 @ Guardians — (—) (—) — —
57 May 27 @ Guardians — (—) (—) — —
58 May 29 Padres — (—) (—) — —
59 May 30 Padres — (—) (—) — —
60 May 31 Padres — (—) (—) — —
June: 0–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Streak
61 June 1 Marlins — (—) (—) — —
62 June 2 Marlins — (—) (—) — —
63 June 3 Marlins — (—) (—) — —
64 June 5 @ Diamondbacks — (—) (—) — —
65 June 6 @ Diamondbacks — (—) (—) — —
66 June 7 @ Diamondbacks — (—) (—) — —
67 June 8 @ Giants — (—) (—) — —
68 June 9 @ Giants — (—) (—) — —
69 June 10 @ Giants — (—) (—) — —
70 June 12 Mariners — (—) (—) — —
71 June 13 Mariners — (—) (—) — —
72 June 14 Mariners — (—) (—) — —
73 June 15 Royals — (—) (—) — —
74 June 16 Royals — (—) (—) — —
75 June 17 Royals — (—) (—) — —
76 June 19 @ Rays — (—) (—) — —
77 June 20 @ Rays — (—) (—) — —
78 June 21 @ Rays — (—) (—) — —
79 June 22 Phillies — (—) (—) — —
80 June 23 Phillies — (—) (—) — —
81 June 24 Phillies — (—) (—) — —
82 June 25 Phillies — (—) (—) — —
83 June 26 @ Orioles — (—) (—) — —
84 June 27 @ Orioles — (—) (—) — —
85 June 28 @ Orioles — (—) (—) — —
86 June 29 @ Red Sox — (—) (—) — —
87 June 30 @ Red Sox — (—) (—) — —
July: 0–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Streak
88 July 1 @ Red Sox — (—) (—) — —
89 July 3 Pirates — (—) (—) — —
90 July 4 Pirates — (—) (—) — —
91 July 5 Pirates — (—) (—) — —
92 July 6 Astros — (—) (—) — —
93 July 7 Astros — (—) (—) — —
94 July 8 Astros — (—) (—) — —
95 July 10 Yankees — (—) (—) — —
96 July 11 Yankees — (—) (—) — —
97 July 12 Yankees — (—) (—) — —
All–Star Break (July 13–16)
98 July 17 @ Athletics — (—) (—) — —
99 July 18 @ Athletics — (—) (—) — —
100 July 19 @ Athletics — (—) (—) — —
101 July 20 @ Rockies — (—) (—) — —
102 July 21 @ Rockies — (—) (—) — —
103 July 22 @ Rockies — (—) (—) — —
104 July 24 Diamondbacks — (—) (—) — —
105 July 25 Diamondbacks — (—) (—) — —
106 July 26 Diamondbacks — (—) (—) — —
107 July 27 Blue Jays — (—) (—) — —
108 July 28 Blue Jays — (—) (—) — —
109 July 29 Blue Jays — (—) (—) — —
110 July 30 @ Braves — (—) (—) — —
111 July 31 @ Braves — (—) (—) — —
August: 0–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Streak
112 August 1 @ Braves — (—) (—) — —
113 August 2 @ Braves — (—) (—) — —
114 August 3 @ Phillies — (—) (—) — —
115 August 4 @ Phillies — (—) (—) — —
116 August 5 @ Phillies — (—) (—) — —
117 August 6 @ Phillies — (—) (—) — —
118 August 7 Reds — (—) (—) — —
119 August 8 Reds — (—) (—) — —
120 August 9 Reds — (—) (—) — —
121 August 11 Cubs — (—) (—) — —
122 August 12 Cubs — (—) (—) — —
123 August 13 Cubs — (—) (—) — —
124 August 14 @ Mets — (—) (—) — —
125 August 15 @ Mets — (—) (—) — —
126 August 16 @ Mets — (—) (—) — —
127 August 18 @ Rangers — (—) (—) — —
128 August 19 @ Rangers — (—) (—) — —
129 August 20 @ Rangers — (—) (—) — —
130 August 21 @ Marlins — (—) (—) — —
131 August 22 @ Marlins — (—) (—) — —
132 August 23 @ Marlins — (—) (—) — —
133 August 24 Rockies — (—) (—) — —
134 August 25 Rockies — (—) (—) — —
135 August 26 Rockies — (—) (—) — —
136 August 27 Rockies — (—) (—) — —
137 August 28 Marlins — (—) (—) — —
138 August 29 Marlins — (—) (—) — —
139 August 30 Marlins — (—) (—) — —
140 August 31 Marlins — (—) (—) — —
September: 0–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Streak
141 September 1 Braves — (—) (—) — —
142 September 2 Braves — (—) (—) — —
143 September 4 @ Dodgers — (—) (—) — —
144 September 5 @ Dodgers — (—) (—) — —
145 September 6 @ Dodgers — (—) (—) — —
146 September 7 @ Padres — (—) (—) — —
147 September 8 @ Padres — (—) (—) — —
148 September 9 @ Padres — (—) (—) — —
149 September 11 Angels — (—) (—) — —
150 September 12 Angels — (—) (—) — —
151 September 13 Angels — (—) (—) — —
152 September 15 Phillies — (—) (—) — —
153 September 16 Phillies — (—) (—) — —
154 September 18 @ Cardinals — (—) (—) — —
155 September 19 @ Cardinals — (—) (—) — —
156 September 20 @ Cardinals — (—) (—) — —
157 September 21 @ Tigers — (—) (—) — —
158 September 22 @ Tigers — (—) (—) — —
159 September 23 @ Tigers — (—) (—) — —
160 September 25 Mets — (—) (—) — —
161 September 26 Mets — (—) (—) — —
162 September 27 Mets — (—) (—) — —

Current roster

Washington Nationals 2026 spring training roster
40-man roster Non-roster invitees Coaches / other

Pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Pitchers

Infielders


Manager

Coaches


Farm system

See also: Minor League Baseball
Level Team League Manager
Triple-A Rochester Red Wings International League
Double-A Harrisburg Senators Eastern League
High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks South Atlantic League
Low-A Fredericksburg Nationals Carolina League
Rookie FCL Nationals Florida Complex League
Rookie DSL Nationals Dominican Summer League

References

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  2. ^ a b Camerato, Jessica (October 1, 2025). "Toboni ready to 'embrace the challenge' in new role with Nats". MLB.com. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  3. ^ Wright, Charlie (November 8, 2025). "Nationals' Mike DeBartolo To Serve In Assistant GM Role". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Wakai, Brad (November 4, 2025). "Nationals Boss Paul Toboni Reveals Specific Roles for His New Executives". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
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