Nationals Decision Sends Yankees Alum to Free Agency

jahid 📅 Published on July 15, 2026 📁 in News

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 10: Matt Krook #58 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Nationals Park on July 10, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

The 31‑year‑old left‑handed pitcher is now a free agent after the Washington Nationals let him go. Krook was outrighted to Triple‑A Rochester on Tuesday, but he declined that assignment, setting the stage for his elective release. His path off the roster began with a designation for assignment on Sunday, followed by a brief stint on waivers.

Team Journey and Trades

Krook was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the fourth round of the 2016 draft, marking the start of a nomadic career. The Giants moved him to the Tampa Bay Rays in a deal that also sent Evan Longoria, Denard Span and others, but he never reached the majors with Tampa Bay. The Yankees claimed him off waivers in the 2020‑21 offseason and finally gave him a big‑league chance in 2023. After a brief MLB stint with New York, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for cash in February 2024. Later that year he signed a minor‑league contract with the Oakland Athletics, only to be designated for assignment again in early July.

When the Nationals claimed him off waivers on July 4, they hoped to add depth to their bullpen. He debuted for Washington on July 7, but was designated for assignment just five days later. Over three appearances for the Nationals, he posted a 2 2⁄3‑inning, two‑earned‑run line.

Statistical Profile

Matt Krook’s fastball sits around 90 mph and he mixes in a slider, cutter and changeup. He originally was a starter in the minors before switching to full‑time relief work in 2023. Since the shift, his minor‑league numbers show a 3.08 ERA and a robust 31.7 % strikeout rate, though his walk rate sits at a concerning 15.7 %. At the Triple‑A level with the Athletics this year, he recorded a 3.72 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 42 strikeouts and 16 walks over 29 innings.

His time in the majors has been limited: four outings for the Yankees in 2023 with an 11‑earned‑run, 8‑hit, 6‑walk, 3‑strikeout line; a single appearance for Baltimore allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and one walk in one inning; and a brief stint with Oakland’s affiliates earlier this season, where he gave up seven runs (six earned) on five hits and four walks across 3 2⁄3 innings.

Future Outlook

Despite thin major‑league experience, Krook’s high strikeout rate and solid minor‑league control could attract teams looking for bullpen depth. The elevated walk rate remains a red flag, but plenty of clubs have built relief corps around pitchers who generate swings and misses. With his free‑agent status now official, interested suitors will likely evaluate his health, command and potential role as a middle‑relief or situational arm. Whether he signs with a contender or returns to a Triple‑A squad will be worth watching as the market continues to shape up.