If the Nationals’ seven waiver claims in the month of January were any indication of how active the team will be in building its 2026 roster, a lot of moves could be expected during Spring Training. There are several roles up for grabs, and a new front office and coaching staff will have to decide on 26 players by the end of camp.
Here is the first projection of the Nationals’ 2026 Opening Day roster. This will be updated throughout Spring Training.
Catcher (2): Keibert Ruiz, Harry Ford (Nats No. 2 prospect, MLB No. 71)
Ruiz, who has been the Nationals’ starting catcher since he was acquired during the 2021 season, is returning from multiple concussions last year. If healthy in camp, he should be able to retain the starting role. But even if Ruiz is cleared to play, it would seem likely that his workload would be monitored. Ford has an opportunity to earn meaningful playing time as a rookie after coming over in a trade from a Mariners team that was locked in with Cal Raleigh behind the plate.
First baseman (1): Luis García Jr.
The Nationals do not have a clear-cut first base option, and García could shift over from second base. Last season, García played two games at first base. He will work to bounce back from an offensive dip in 2025, when his batting average was down to .252 compared to .282 in ‘24.
Second baseman (1): Nasim Nuñez
This projection is contingent upon García moving to first base. A former Rule 5 Draft pick who has not seen consistent playing time, Nuñez has risen to the occasion when given the opportunity. Last season, he logged 89 innings at second base and did not commit an error.
Shortstop (1): CJ Abrams
Abrams returns to the starting shortstop role with electric defensive potential. He will look to improve upon his .962 fielding percentage last season. Abrams has recorded more than 30 stolen bases in each of the last three seasons, and he led the NL in stolen base rate.
Third baseman (1): Brady House
Unlike previous seasons, the Nationals have a starting third baseman heading into camp. House will build on his 73 games of Major League experience after debuting last June. He batted .234 with 11 doubles, four homers and 29 RBIs.
Outfielders (3): LF James Wood, CF Jacob Young, RF Dylan Crews
Crews, Wood and …? The third outfield position will be a role we revisit often during Spring Training. In this first projection, Young gets the nod in center field with his Gold Glove Award-finalist defense. In spite of a .583 OPS, Young ranked fourth among all players in outfield directional outs above average in 2025. (Remember that kick save at Citi Field?)
DH (1): Daylen Lile
With a crowded outfield, the designated hitter spot is an opportunity to disperse playing time. Lile finished fifth in the voting for NL Rookie of the Year last season, after he was named the September NL Player and Rookie of the Month. Lile concluded his rookie season strong with a 1.212 OPS in September/October.
Bench/Utility (3): OF Robert Hassell III, 1B/DH Andrés Chaparro, INF José Tena
Hassell adds another outfield option, Chaparro can play first base and DH and Tena has experience at second base, third base and shortstop.
Starting Pitchers (5): RHP Cade Cavalli, RHP Jake Irvin, LHP Foster Griffin, RHP Brad Lord, LHP Mitchell Parker
The Nationals traded their ace (MacKenzie Gore) and have three starters (Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Trevor Williams) recovering from lengthy rehab assignments, making this projection likely to fluctuate throughout camp. While the Nats will have to name a new Opening Day starter, it’s the fifth spot in the rotation that could cause the most questions. Based on Major League experience as a starter, Parker gets the early nod to move back into the rotation to see if he can excel in that role again. But he will have plenty of competition, including Andrew Alvarez, Riley Cornelio and Rule 5 Draft pick Griff McGarry.
Relief Pitchers (8): RHP Cole Henry, RHP Clayton Beeter, RHP Jackson Rutledge, LHP PJ Poulin, RHP Orlando Ribalta, RHP Griff McGarry, LHP Richard Lovelady, RHP Riley Cornelio
Cornelio, the Nationals’ 2025 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, is a starter, but I’m noting the previously implemented Brad Lord approach. Lord, a starter, made the ‘25 Opening Day roster as a reliever and then was stretched out to join the rotation. Cornelio is a player to watch this spring to see when the Nats think he will be ready to pitch in the big leagues. As in the past, this early group of relievers will change a lot during Spring Training, especially as roster moves are made and Minor League free-agent deals are signed.