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Nationals Claim Pitcher Paxton Schultz from Blue Jays

1/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Paxton Schultz, right-handed pitcher, was claimed off waivers by Washington Nationals on January 9, 2026.
The Blue Jays designated him for assignment to clear space for Kazuma Okamoto.
He debuted in 2025, appearing in 13 games with a 4.38 ERA and 28 strikeouts.
He spent most of 2025 at Triple-A Buffalo, posting a 3.31 ERA.
The Nationals plan to use him as a reliever or starter in 2026.

History

Historical Context

The trend of utilizing waiver claims in Major League Baseball (MLB) gained momentum in 2016, exemplified by the Chicago Cubs' acquisition of pitcher Mike Montgomery, who posted a 2.84 ERA that season. This strategy reflects teams' ongoing efforts to enhance pitching depth, as seen with the Washington Nationals' recent claim of Paxton Schultz, highlighting the competitive nature of roster management in MLB.

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Story summary

Paxton Schultz, right-handed pitcher, was claimed off waivers by Washington Nationals on January 9, 2026.
The Blue Jays designated him for assignment to clear space for Kazuma Okamoto.
He debuted in 2025, appearing in 13 games with a 4.38 ERA and 28 strikeouts.
He spent most of 2025 at Triple-A Buffalo, posting a 3.31 ERA.
The Nationals plan to use him as a reliever or starter in 2026.

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