Washington Nationals recall Zak Kent

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Zak Kent from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday and optioned right-handed pitcher Andre Granillo to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni made the announcements.

Kent, 28, joins the Nationals after he was claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins on May 3. He pitched to a 3.38 ERA (4 ER/10.2 IP) with 12 strikeouts for Triple-A St. Paul this season. He converted his only save opportunity with the Saints, working 1.1 innings to close out a win over Lehigh Valley on April 17.

A Heathsville, Va., native, Kent saw action in two Major League games with the Twins this season and pitched to a 4.91 ERA (2 ER/3.2 IP) with a pair of strikeouts.

Originally a ninth-round pick by the Texas Rangers out of Virginia Military Institute in 2019, Kent made his Major League debut on April 23, 2025, with the Cleveland Guardians, working 3.0 innings and striking out four against the New York Yankees. Kent finished last season 1-0 with a 4.58 ERA (9 ER/ 17.2 IP) and 16 strikeouts in 12 Major League games.