Nationals Sign Former Mets Reliever with 3.48 Career ERA

32-year-old Drew Smith inks minor league deal with performance bonuses

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Washington Nationals have signed right-handed relief pitcher Drew Smith to a minor league contract, according to a report. Smith, who is 32 years old, will earn $1.75 million if he makes the Nationals' major league roster, and his contract includes $1.25 million in potential performance bonuses.

Why it matters

The Nationals are looking to bolster their bullpen ahead of the upcoming season, and Smith could provide valuable middle relief innings if he can return to form after missing the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery.

The details

Smith made 191 appearances for the New York Mets from 2018 to 2024, posting a 3.48 career ERA. Before his injury, he was a middle relief option for the Mets, throwing a career-high 56.1 innings in 2023 with a 2.07 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 50 hits allowed. The Nationals and first-year manager Blake Butera could find a similar role for Smith at the major league level, or he could open the season at Triple-A.

  • Smith missed the entire 2025 season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.

The players

Drew Smith

A 32-year-old right-handed relief pitcher who spent the last seven seasons with the New York Mets before missing the 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery.

Blake Butera

The first-year manager of the Washington Nationals.

Grayson Crawford

The director of pitching for the Washington Nationals, who previously held a similar role in the Mets organization.

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What they’re saying

“Nationals have Grayson Crawford as their director of pitching. He was with the Mets organization the last few years.”

— Michelle Margaux (X)

The takeaway

The Nationals' signing of Drew Smith to a minor league deal with performance bonuses represents a low-risk, high-upside move as the team looks to bolster its bullpen ahead of the upcoming season. If Smith can regain his pre-injury form, he could provide valuable middle relief innings for the Nationals.