Nationals Place Pitchers on Injured List

Waldichuk and Henry sidelined as Ribalta and Rutledge recalled from minors

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:35am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion broken down into fragmented geometric shapes in navy, green, and brown tones, conveying the disruption caused by the Nationals' pitching injuries.The Nationals' pitching staff faces a challenge as two key relievers land on the injured list, requiring a creative approach to fill the void.Washington Today

The Washington Nationals have placed left-handed pitcher Ken Waldichuk and right-handed pitcher Cole Henry on the 15-day injured list. Waldichuk is dealing with left forearm tightness, while Henry has a right rotator cuff strain. In corresponding moves, the Nationals have recalled right-handers Orlando Ribalta and Jackson Rutledge from their Triple-A affiliate in Rochester.

Why it matters

The Nationals' pitching staff has been hit with early-season injuries, forcing the team to dip into their minor league depth to fill the roster spots. Waldichuk and Henry were both expected to play key roles in the Nationals' bullpen this season, so their absences could impact the team's performance in the short term.

The details

Waldichuk, 28, has a 6.75 ERA in five relief appearances so far this season, while the 26-year-old Henry was 0-2 with a 6.43 ERA in seven relief appearances. Ribalta, 28, has a 7.81 ERA in 26 relief appearances over the previous two seasons for Washington, and the 27-year-old Rutledge is 5-3 with a 5.75 ERA in 70 appearances (five starts) for the Nationals over the past three seasons.

  • The Nationals placed Waldichuk and Henry on the 15-day injured list on Monday, April 14, 2026.

The players

Ken Waldichuk

A 28-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals who has been placed on the injured list with left forearm tightness.

Cole Henry

A 26-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals who has been placed on the injured list with a right rotator cuff strain.

Orlando Ribalta

A 28-year-old right-handed pitcher who has been recalled from the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate in Rochester.

Jackson Rutledge

A 27-year-old right-handed pitcher who has been recalled from the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate in Rochester.

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The takeaway

The Nationals' early-season injury woes have forced the team to turn to their minor league depth, recalling Ribalta and Rutledge to fill the roster spots vacated by Waldichuk and Henry. The team will hope for a speedy recovery from their injured pitchers to bolster the bullpen as the season progresses.