The Nationals introduced that right-hander Chase Hampton has been claimed off the Yankees’ waiver wire, and optioned to Double-A. To create a 40-man roster spot, Washington moved right-hander Matt Waldron from the 15-day injured listing to the 60-day IL, so Waldron’s 2026 season is formally over.
New York designated Hampton for task earlier this week, and the declare brings a former top-100 prospect into Washington’s system. Hampton was seen as certainly one of baseball’s extra attention-grabbing prime pitching prospects heading into the 2024 marketing campaign, earlier than accidents (together with a Tommy John surgical procedure) put him on the shelf for nearly the entire subsequent two seasons.
Hampton returned from his TJ rehab this previous Might, however he has posted an 8.18 ERA, 21.3% strikeout price, and 12.9% stroll price over 55 innings throughout three ranges of the Yankees’ farm system. Between the dearth of management and the shortcoming to maintain the ball within the park (Hampton allowed 13 homers in his 55 frames), the Yankees felt maintaining Hampton was now not value a 40-man roster spot, so the righty was the odd man out when Aaron Choose was activated from the 60-day injured listing final Monday.
Hampton simply turned 25 final month, and he has a full slate of minor league choices since he has by no means been added to a 40-man roster. These components and his final top-100 pedigree made him an attention-grabbing add for the rebuilding Nationals, who want to acquire as a lot pitching as potential. Whereas Hampton may doubtlessly be a DFA candidate once more relying on Washington’s roster wants this winter, there’s no threat for the Nats in taking a flier to see if Hampton may very well be a late bloomer.
Waldron was himself claimed off the Blue Jays’ waiver wire only a few weeks in the past, and he tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings over three appearances for the Nationals. Chest irritation then despatched Waldron to the 15-day IL on September 5, and now that his season is over, Waldron finishes 2026 with a 6.54 ERA over 42 2/3 innings with the Padres, Jays, and Nats. The knuckleballer is out of minor league choices, and twice modified groups through waiver claims after being DFA’ed.
In one other Nats transfer from earlier in the present day, the membership activated left-hander Richard Lovelady from the the 60-day IL. Lovelady has a 3.91 ERA, 18.4% strikeout price, and 14.9% stroll price over 23 innings since D.C. acquired him in a money take care of the Mets in April. A left triceps pressure has stored Lovelady sidelined since late June, however he’ll get an opportunity to log some extra video games earlier than the season is over.
