The Nationalists announced that the left Matt Krook He has been asked to withdraw from Athletics. To make up Krook’s roster spot, the Nats designated the right-hander Andre Granillo by share and right option Zak Kent to Triple-A Rochester.
A’s designated hitter Krook was offered the job yesterday, and Krook joined Tom Cosgrove and Karl Pilkington as a left-handed bullpen addition for the Nats over the past few days. Mitchell Parker set for Tommy John surgery again Richard Lovelady and he’s on the 15-day injured list, which narrows down the two most prominent relief agencies to left. Krook will enter the active roster in Kent’s place, giving Washington three southpaws (Krook, Carson Palmquist, PJ Poulin) in its current auxiliary mix.
Strong bullpen additions may come before the trade deadline, as the Nationals need more help in general and the team remains a surprising contender in the wild-card race. The front office’s approach right now would be to simply plug the holes, then wait a few weeks to see if the Nats can continue to be consistent and stay in position to be a potential trade at the deadline.
Krook has earned cups over the past four MLB seasons, with 12 innings pitched over his 13 career games. The small sample size has been bad, as Krook has a 16.50 ERA in his short time as a big leaguer that includes a 17.18 ERA over 3 2/3 frames with the Athletics this year. Krook has 12 walks against just 13 hitters in the majors, as the control problems that have plagued the lefty in the minors have grown more prominent in Show.
Since becoming a full-time reliever in 2023 while pitching in the Yankees’ farm system, Krook’s numbers have improved, and he posted a 3.72 ERA, a 30.9% strikeout rate, and an 11.8% walk rate through 29 innings with Triple-A Las Vegas this season. Most impressively in a hitter-friendly environment, Krook hasn’t allowed a home run, as he’s continued his long tradition of keeping the ball in the park and producing slugging rates above 60% (61.4% this year).
Between this extreme ground ball ability and the strikeout rates he’s produced in the minors, it’s easy to see why teams continue to take snaps from Krook. At 31 years old, it remains to be seen if Krook can translate any of his success in the minors to moderate production in the big leagues, as MLB hitters so far have had no trouble finding him.
Granillo is one of the most pitchers in Washington’s bullpen churn this season, and the righty has only posted a 9.64 ERA over 9 1/3 innings, with eight walks and two homers allowed in eight appearances. In relief, Granillo’s stellar career with Triple-A Memphis in 2025 earned him his first promotion to the major leagues with the Cardinals, but a February trade to Washington didn’t work out for the right-hander at all. In addition to Granillo’s struggles in the majors, he also has a 6.82 ERA in 31 2/3 frames with Rochester.
It was enough for the Nationals to send Granillo to DFA limbo. He’s still unclear on his career, so Granillo will have to accept a straight Triple-A assignment in the unlikely event he clears waivers.
