Max Kranick
Breakdown
Performance
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May 6, 2026
Officially signs, moved to IL
The Nationals signed Kranick (elbow) to a one-year, $800,000 contract Tuesday and placed him on the 15-day injured list.
Analysis
Per Jessica Camerato of MLB.com, Kranick's contract also contains a club option for 2027. The Nationals designated right-hander Jackson Rutledge for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Kranick, who was immediately placed on the 15-day injured list while he continues to recover from the flexor tendon surgery he underwent last summer. Washington signed Kranick after he flashed a fastball that sat around 94-to-95 miles per hour during a recent showcase for teams, but it's unclear how close he might be to facing hitters in a game setting.
May 1, 2026
Latches on with Nationals
The Nationals signed Kranick (elbow) to a one-year contract Friday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.
Analysis
Kranick held a showcase for teams earlier this month and sat in the 94-to-95 mph range with his fastball, which is right around the 95.6 mph he averaged last year with the Mets. He's less than 10 months removed from flexor tendon surgery, so it's unclear when he might be ready to pitch at the big-league level. Kranick hasn't reached arbitration eligibility yet, so the Nationals will retain control of the righty for multiple seasons.
