The Washington Nationals made a decisive move on August 4, designating veteran right-hander Zack Littell for assignment to open a roster spot. Manager Dave Martinez didn't sugarcoat the reasoning, calling the decision "purely performance-based" after a miserable two-month slide. For a Nationals team fighting for relevance in the NL East, patience ran thin - and Littell's recent numbers made the call an easy one for the front office.
Littell's 2026 campaign started with promise but unraveled quickly. The 30-year-old finished his Nationals tenure with a 3 - 5 record and a 4.78 ERA across 22 appearances (14 starts), logging 71.2 innings. The underlying numbers were even uglier: a 1.42 WHIP, 86 hits allowed, and 11 home runs surrendered. His expected ERA sat at 5.12, placing him in the bottom 12% of MLB pitchers, per Statcast data.
The real red flag came in his last six starts since July 1, where his ERA ballooned to 6.23. His fastball velocity also dropped to 92.8 mph - down from 94.1 mph the previous season - confirming the stuff just wasn't playing anymore.
📊 6.23 ERA over his final six starts - Littell's collapse since July 1 sealed his fate with Washington.
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Record | 3 - 5 |
| ERA | 4.78 |
| WHIP | 1.42 |
| Strikeouts | 62 |
| Walks | 18 |
| Innings Pitched | 71.2 |
| Hits Allowed | 86 |
| Home Runs Allowed | 11 |
| xERA | 5.12 |
The Roster Shuffle and What's Next
To replace Littell, Washington recalled right-hander Tyler Stuart from Triple-A Rochester. Stuart had been dealing, posting a 3.31 ERA across 11 starts, and brings a fresh arm to a bullpen that needed a spark. The Nationals' 40-man roster now sits at 39 players, leaving the front office room to make another move this week - likely a waiver claim or another minor-league promotion.
As of this morning, no team has claimed Littell off waivers. The Nationals have until August 11 to trade him, release him, or outright him to the minors if he clears. Littell has one minor-league option remaining, so he could theoretically report to Triple-A Rochester and work things out. But given his performance decline and the fact he's a 30-year-old veteran with declining stuff, a fresh start elsewhere might be better for all parties.
📊 39 players on Washington's 40-man roster - The Nationals have flexibility to add a pitcher this week via waiver claim or promotion.
Martinez made it clear the team needed a different look. "We needed a fresh arm in the bullpen," he told reporters after the move. The Nationals are in a tricky spot - not quite contenders, but not fully rebuilding either. Every roster spot matters, and Littell's recent body of work simply didn't justify keeping him around while younger arms knock on the door.
Littell's Market Value and Career Crossroads
Littell's career numbers tell the story of a guy who's been around: a 24 - 32 record with a 4.41 ERA across 218 appearances for the Mariners, Rays, Red Sox, and Nationals spanning 2019 - 2026. He signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with Washington in January, and now that the Nationals have cut him, they owe no remaining guaranteed money, per MLB Trade Rumors.
The question now is whether any contender views Littell as a buy-low bullpen piece or a spot starter. His 62 strikeouts against just 18 walks in 71.2 innings suggest the control is still there - it's the damage on the pitches he leaves over the plate that's the problem. A team with a strong pitching lab might see something to fix, especially if Littell is willing to accept a minor-league assignment and rebuild his value.
| Season | Fastball Velocity |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 94.1 mph |
| 2026 | 92.8 mph |
