Washington Nationals announce 2026 Opening Day Roster

The Washington Nationals announced their 2026 Opening Day roster on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni made the announcement. Of the 26 players, 10 are participating in Opening Day for the first time in their careers, including Opening Day starter Cade Cavalli.

Starters (5): RHP Cade Cavalli*, LHP Foster Griffin, RHP Jake Irvin, RHP Zack Littell, RHP Miles Mikolas

Relievers (8): RHP Clayton Beeter, RHP Andre Granillo, RHP Cole Henry, RHP Brad Lord, LHP Cionel Pérez, LHP PJ Poulin*, RHP Gus Varland, LHP Ken Waldichuk

Catchers (2): Drew Millas* (S), Keibert Ruiz (S)

Infielders (7): CJ Abrams (L), Andrés Chaparro, Luis García Jr. (L), Brady House, Nasim Nuñez (S)
José Tena (L), Jorbit Vivas* (L)

Outfielders (4): Daylen Lile* (L), Joey Wiemer, James Wood (L), Jacob Young
\ - First Opening Day

Washington opens the 2026 season on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field at 2:20 p.m. ET. Following a day off on Friday, the Nationals and Cubs will continue the series over the weekend before Washington travels to Philadelphia for a three-game series against the Phillies starting Monday.

The Nationals return to Washington, D.C. for their home opener on Friday, April 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Nationals and Dodgers will square off in a three-game series over Easter Weekend before the St. Louis Cardinals come to the nation’s capital for three games (April 6-8) to complete the homestand.