Nationals Sign Lefty Pitcher Foster Griffin to One-Year Deal

Former Royals draft pick returns to MLB after 3 years in Japan, looks to bolster Nats' struggling rotation.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:33am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the motion of a baseball pitcher, with sharp planes of navy blue, red, and white representing the colors of the Washington Nationals and Yomiuri Giants, the Japanese team Griffin played for, conceptually illustrating the complexities of his career path.A cubist interpretation of pitcher Foster Griffin's journey from the MLB to Japan and back again, symbolizing the challenges and opportunities he faces in reviving his career with the Washington Nationals.Washington Today

The Washington Nationals have reportedly signed left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin to a one-year, $5.5 million contract with up to $1 million in incentives. Griffin, a former first-round pick of the Royals, spent the last three seasons pitching in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league, where he was an All-Star in 2025. The Nationals are hoping the 30-year-old can provide a boost to their starting rotation, which posted the second-highest ERA in MLB last season.

Why it matters

The Nationals' pitching staff has been a major weakness, and they're hoping Griffin can help stabilize the rotation alongside young arms like MacKenzie Gore, Jake Irvin, and Cade Cavalli. Griffin's experience and success in Japan could pay dividends, but there are questions about how his game will translate back to MLB after a three-year absence.

The details

Griffin will compete for a spot in the Nationals' starting rotation this spring. The team's current rotation features several young, unproven arms, with right-hander Trevor Williams still recovering from an injury. Griffin, a former first-round pick, made his MLB debut in 2020 but struggled, posting a 6.75 ERA in seven relief appearances. However, he found great success in Japan, going 18-10 with a 2.57 ERA over the last three seasons, including an All-Star campaign in 2025 where he had a 1.62 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 78 innings.

  • Griffin signed a one-year contract with the Nationals on April 10, 2026.
  • He spent the last three seasons pitching in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league.

The players

Foster Griffin

A 30-year-old left-handed pitcher who spent the last three seasons pitching in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league, where he was an All-Star in 2025.

Paul Toboni

The President of Baseball Operations for the Washington Nationals, who made improving the team's pitching staff a top priority this offseason.

MacKenzie Gore

A young right-handed pitcher who is part of the Nationals' current starting rotation.

Jake Irvin

A young right-handed pitcher who is part of the Nationals' current starting rotation.

Cade Cavalli

A young right-handed pitcher who is part of the Nationals' current starting rotation.

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What they’re saying

“My focus is squarely on pitching—both starting and relief.”

— Paul Toboni, President of Baseball Operations, Washington Nationals

What’s next

Griffin will compete for a spot in the Nationals' starting rotation during spring training. The team is hoping he can provide a boost to a pitching staff that struggled mightily last season.

The takeaway

The Nationals are taking a calculated risk by signing Griffin, who has not pitched in the MLB since 2022 but found success in Japan over the last three seasons. If Griffin can recapture his form and provide stability to the rotation, it could be a game-changing move for the Nationals. However, there are questions about how his game will translate back to the MLB after a lengthy absence.