Washington Nationals agree to terms with Max Kranick

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Max Kranick on a one-year Major League contract with a club option for the 2027 season and designated right-handed pitcher Jackson Rutledge for assignment on Tuesday. Kranick has been placed on the 15-day Injured List while he recovers from right elbow surgery. Nationals President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni made the announcement.

Kranick, 28, went 3-2 with a 3.65 ERA and five holds in 24 relief appearances last season for the New York Mets. He struck out 25 and walked just five in 37.0 innings of work.

The Scranton, Pa., native has pitched in parts of three Major League seasons from 2021-22 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and in 2025 with the Mets. Overall, he is 3-3 with a 4.69 ERA in 35 games, making nine starts. As a reliever at the Major League level, he has pitched to a 3.21 ERA with 29 strikeouts and just eight walks in 42.0 innings.

Originally an 11th-round pick by Pittsburgh in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Valley View High School in Archibald, Pa., Kranick owns a 3.62 ERA in 126 games (82 starts) in nine Minor League seasons. He has amassed three saves and one complete game during that time.