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Nationals trade All-Star Griffin to Guardians for four prospects

8/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Washington Nationals traded left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin to the Cleveland Guardians on August 3, 2026.
Washington received four prospects: left-handers Will Dion and Josh Hartle, right-hander Kendeglys Virguez, and outfielder Nick Mitchell.
Griffin, a 2026 All-Star, posted a 12-3 record with a 3.06 ERA in 129.1 innings for Washington.
After the trade, the Nationals recalled left-handed pitcher Andrew Alvarez from Triple-A Rochester to start versus the Philadelphia Phillies.

History

Historical Context

Since the early 2000s, MLB clubs have swapped star pitchers for prospects—Arizona sent Randy Johnson back from the Yankees in a January 2006 deal, receiving several minor-leaguers, while Washington traded All-Star left-hander Foster Griffin to the Cleveland Guardians on August 3 2026 for top prospects. Such moves echo the Diamondbacks’ 26-win turnaround in 2005.

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Story summary

The Washington Nationals traded left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin to the Cleveland Guardians on August 3, 2026.
Washington received four prospects: left-handers Will Dion and Josh Hartle, right-hander Kendeglys Virguez, and outfielder Nick Mitchell.
Griffin, a 2026 All-Star, posted a 12-3 record with a 3.06 ERA in 129.1 innings for Washington.
After the trade, the Nationals recalled left-handed pitcher Andrew Alvarez from Triple-A Rochester to start versus the Philadelphia Phillies.

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