The Washington Nationals are making wholesale changes to their roster. Washington sold most of its expiring-contract assets at the trade deadline and plans another wave of roster moves.
After a fifth straight season out of contention, which led to the firing of Dave Martinez and the general manager, the team is building around James Wood, CJ Abrams, and MacKenzie Gore.
On Thursday, the Nationals organization made a decision on first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, just a day after hitting his first grand slam.
Nationals Designate Nathaniel Lowe for Assignment
The Washington Nationals made a couple of notable moves on Thursday. Dylan Crews is being reinstated from the Injured List, and Lowe is being designated for assignment. Lowe will likely be sent to waivers, where any MLB organization will have the opportunity to transfer Lowe’s contract to their payroll for the remainder of the season. If so, the team will simply release him. More likely, another contending team will pick him up on waivers, given the $2-3 million remaining on his contract and the potential to use his bat as a matchup or platoon option.
In 119 games this season, Lowe is hitting .216, but has 17 home runs and 68 RBIs. His OPS is below .700, and his bWAR is negative. Likely in part due to his high strikeout rate and OBP below .300, but Lowe does have a power stroke.
Nationals’ rookie Dylan Crews had been on the 60-day IL with an oblique strain, and it makes more sense for Washington to allow Crews to get the majority of at-bats down the stretch.
Nathaniel Lowe Has Had a Solid Career
While his numbers are down this season, the Nationals have been an uncompetitive team for the whole 2025 season. In 2023, Lowe helped the Texas Rangers win their first World Series in franchise history. In 2022, Lowe won a Silver Slugger Award for smashing 27 home runs and having an OPS of .851. He has shown the ability to hit more consistently with other MLB organizations, but only now with the Nationals.
Where does Lowe go from here? That depends on whether other teams are willing to pick up his contract, but it seems plausible. The Boston Red Sox are still desperately searching for a first baseman, and maybe a potential reunion with the Red Sox. His OPS+ has dipped in the four seasons since his 2022 Silver Slugger year, but he has hit 15 or more home runs in five of his seven professional seasons.
Nobody expects him to carry the freight on offense, but it could be a good piece for a team down the stretch that needs a lefty bat. His defense has also ticked down a bit, but it would make sense for Lowe to be a pinch-hit option late in games.
This likely isn’t the first time either that the Washington Nationals DFA a player who attempts to dump their salary. Other players who may be DFA include Josh Bell.
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