Foster Griffin
Breakdown
Performance
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August 6, 2026
Struggles again in team debut
Griffin (12-4) took the loss against the Mets on Thursday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks in four innings. He struck out six.
Analysis
Making his Guardians debut, Griffin didn't leave an encouraging first impression with his new club. The left-hander has now coughed up 11 runs in his past two starts (9.1 innings), which is quite the disappointment after he gave up 10 runs altogether in his previous nine outings to that stretch. Griffin will be aiming to get back on track his next time out in Detroit, where he'll bring what remains an impressive 3.31 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 122:32 K:BB over 133.1 innings for Washington and Cleveland.
August 6, 2026
Set for Cleveland debut Thursday
Griffin is slated to start Thursday's game against the Mets in Cleveland, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis
Acquired from the Nationals on Monday, Griffin will make his Guardians debut three days later after getting some time to acclimate to his new team. After spending the previous three seasons pitching in Japan before signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the Nationals in December, Griffin has emerged as an unlikely All-Star in his return to affiliated ball. While leaning on a seven-pitch mix, Griffin turned in a 12-3 record, 3.06 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 116:30 K:BB in 129.1 innings over his 22 starts with Washington. Though he's vastly outperformed his peripherals (4.09 FIP, 4.10 xERA, 3.80 SIERA), Griffin's change in home park from one of baseball's more hitter-friendly venues in Nationals Park to a more neutral environment in Progressive Field could help him stave off regression.
August 3, 2026
Dealt to Cleveland
The Guardians acquired Griffin from Washington on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis
The Guardians acquire Griffin, a starting pitching rental on an expiring contract after the 2026 season. Griffin, who made his first All-Star game this season, will join the Guardians as they bolster their starting rotation. The 30-year-old is tied for fourth in the majors with 12 wins, owning a 3.06 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 116:30 K:BB through 129.1 innings. The left-hander will join a staff consisting of Gavin Williams, Parker Messick, Joey Cantillo and Tanner Bibee.
August 1, 2026
Hit hard in loss
Griffin (12-3) took the loss against Atlanta on Friday, allowing six runs on nine hits and two walks with three strikeouts over 5.1 innings.
Analysis
Four of the six runs charged to Griffin came via the long ball, and he allowed 10 hard-hit balls overall. It ended a streak of 11 straight starts yielding three earned runs or fewer for the southpaw, who has now recorded just 18 punchouts over his past five outings. Griffin owns a 3.06 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 116:30 K:BB across 129.1 innings this season and lines up for a road matchup with the Phillies next week, though he could potentially be traded with Monday's deadline approaching.
