In a significant move for their rebuilding roster, the Washington Nationals have secured the services of pitcher Foster Griffin, marking his return to Major League Baseball after a successful stint abroad. The club agreed on Monday to a one-year contract with the left-hander, a deal valued at $5.5 million with the potential to earn an additional $1 million through performance incentives.
From Japan to Washington: A Pitcher's Journey Back
The agreement, first reported by Robert Murray of FanSided, is expected to be finalized in Washington this week. For the 30-year-old Griffin, this deal represents a clear pathway back to the big leagues. He last pitched in MLB during the 2022 season, making a total of seven appearances split between the Kansas City Royals and the Toronto Blue Jays from 2020 to 2022.
Seeking more consistent opportunity, Griffin revitalised his career across the Pacific with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. Over three strong seasons in Tokyo, he compiled an impressive record, throwing more than 315 innings and posting a stellar 2.57 ERA. His performance peaked in the 2025 season, where despite a leg injury limiting him to 78 innings, he finished with a remarkable 1.62 ERA.
What Griffin Brings to the Nationals' Rotation
Griffin's success is not built on overpowering velocity. His fastball typically operates in the low 90s. Instead, he is a craftsman on the mound, winning with precision and a diverse arsenal. He effectively mixes a slider, cutter, curveball, changeup, splitter, and two-seamer. As one scout noted to FanSided, his game is all about "control and movement, not power."
This signing comes at an opportune time for the Nationals. The team currently has space on its 40-man roster, requiring no corresponding move. More importantly, their starting rotation remains fluid heading into the new season. The mix includes MacKenzie Gore, Cade Cavalli, Josiah Gray, Jake Irvin, Mitchell Parker, Brad Lord, and Griff McGarry. With Cavalli and Gray returning from Tommy John surgery and others coming off challenging seasons, there is a genuine opening for Griffin to compete for a starting role immediately.
A Low-Risk, High-Reward Scenario for the Rebuild
For the Nationals, led by president of baseball operations Paul Toboni, this move is a classic low-risk, high-reward proposition. If Griffin translates his Japanese success to the MLB stage, he could solidify the rotation or even become a valuable trade asset by mid-summer. If the transition proves difficult, the financial commitment is manageable for a club in its rebuilding phase.
Foster Griffin's journey from limited MLB chances to NPB standout and now back to a major league opportunity with the Washington Nationals is a testament to his perseverance and skill. Nationals fans will be eager to see if his command-heavy approach can bring stability to their pitching staff in the coming season.
