Jarlin Susana is back, and the Nationals have a major decision ahead. The 22-year-old pitching prospect is once again touching 103 mph, but after a UCL sprain, lat surgery and just 14 innings in 2026, questions about his long-term role are getting louder.
In this Nats MinuteCast, Dan Holmi breaks down Susana's electric fastball and slider, his 408 strikeouts in 282 minor-league innings, the command and third-pitch concerns raised by Keith Law, and why a move to the bullpen could eventually make sense. But is Washington anywhere close to making that decision?
The argument here is simple: don't rush it. The Nationals need to find out how good Susana can be as a starter before deciding that his future belongs in relief. His 2026 return has provided flashes of dominant stuff, but the workload is still being rebuilt.
Jarlin Susana. 103 mph. The stuff is back. Now the Nationals have to figure out what comes next.
#Nats #Nationals #Natitude #MLB #JarlinSusana #WashingtonNationals #NatsProspects #Baseball

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Washington Nationals have blown 35 saves in 2026, putting them just two away from the MLB record. After another disastrous ninth inning against the Miami Marlins, it’s time for the Nationals to stop hoping their bullpen problems will fix themselves.

In this episode of Nats MinuteCast, we break down why Washington needs to make an experienced back-end reliever a major priority this offseason.

The Nationals had a 2-0 lead heading into the ninth before the Marlins scored six runs to turn a potential fourth straight win into another painful loss. It was the latest example of a bullpen that has repeatedly cost Washington games this season.

But this isn't about blaming one pitcher or one bad inning.

It's about recognizing that the Nationals are reaching a different stage of their rebuild.

Washington's young offense is becoming a legitimate foundation. The farm system is improving. The roster is more talented than its record suggests. And that means the Nationals can't afford to keep wasting opportunities because they don't have someone they trust to get the final three outs.

We discuss Blake Butera's call for a pitcher who wants the ball in the ninth, the bullpen arms already developing inside the organization, the potential free-agent market, and why spending money on an experienced closer or high-leverage reliever could be one of the smartest moves Washington makes this winter.

The rebuild is changing.

Now the Nationals need to act like it.

• The Nationals' 35 blown saves
• The disastrous ninth inning against Miami
• Why Washington needs experienced bullpen help
• Clayton Beeter, Orlando Ribalta and the developing relief corps
• Why prospects alone can't be the 2027 bullpen plan
• The case for spending this offseason
• How the Nationals can protect their improving young offense
• Why the ninth inning could define Washington's next step

Nats MinuteCast covers the Washington Nationals, Nationals Park, MLB news, roster moves, prospects, trades, free agency and the future of the Nats.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cade Cavalli is becoming the pitcher the Washington Nationals hoped he could be.

Cavalli dominated the Texas Rangers in a 6-0 Nationals victory, striking out 11 batters over six scoreless innings and reaching double-digit strikeouts before the fourth inning was over. After his brilliant no-hit bid against the Cubs, Cavalli followed it up with another statement performance and extended his streak to eight consecutive quality starts.

In this episode of the Nats MinuteCast, Dan Holmi breaks down why Cavalli's emergence could change the Nationals' timeline, why Washington made the controversial decision to move CJ Abrams from shortstop to second base, and what this all means for the next version of the Nationals.

The Nationals finally snapped a four-game losing streak, Andrés Chaparro delivered a huge three-run homer, and the bullpen actually finished the game without the usual drama.

But the biggest story is Cade Cavalli.

The Nationals may finally have their ace. Now they have to build around him.

Cade Cavalli • Washington Nationals • Nationals vs Rangers • 11 strikeouts • CJ Abrams • Nasim Nuñez • Andrés Chaparro • Nationals pitching • Nationals rebuild • Nationals playoff race • Nats news • MLB

#Nats #Nationals #Natitude #MLB #CadeCavalli #WashingtonNationals

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Washington Nationals just delivered one of their most complete wins of the season, shutting out the Chicago Cubs 7-0 behind a dominant performance from Cade Cavalli and another explosive game from Abimelec Ortiz.
Cavalli was spectacular, throwing 8 innings of one-hit, shutout baseball with 10 strikeouts and 2 walks, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning. After weeks of rotation uncertainty and the trade of Foster Griffin, could Cavalli finally be emerging as the frontline starter Washington desperately needs?
Then there's Ortiz.
The rookie went 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs and another home run, pushing his early MLB totals to 4 homers, a .345 average and a 1.160 OPS through 11 games. The sample size is tiny, but the Nationals now have no choice but to find out exactly what they have.
We'll break down why this 7-0 win matters beyond the standings, what Cavalli's performance means for the Nationals' pitching future, why Ortiz is becoming impossible to ignore, and whether Washington can carry this momentum into a nine-game road trip through New York, Texas and Miami.
The Nationals aren't fixed. But suddenly, there are reasons to believe the future might be arriving sooner than expected.
#Nationals #Nats #MLB #Natitude #CadeCavalli #AbimelecOrtiz

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Washington Nationals are facing their biggest test of the 2026 season after trading Foster Griffin, Luis García Jr., and Curtis Mead before the MLB trade deadline. Dan Holmi breaks down the emotional fallout, the bullpen collapse against the Philadelphia Phillies, Blake Butera’s first career ejection, and whether Paul Toboni’s long-term vision can turn the Nationals into a true contender.

The Nationals still have CJ Abrams, James Wood, Dylan Crews, and a promising young core, but fans are asking one question: Is this another rebuild, or is this finally the foundation of the next great Washington Nationals team?

#Natitude #Nats #MLB

00:00 Cold Open: The Nationals Changed Everything
01:30 Episode Roadmap
03:00 Segment 1: The Deadline Damage
16:00 Segment 2: The Bullpen Breaks
29:00 Segment 3: The Future Bet
39:00 Final Thoughts: When Does Tomorrow Become Today?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Washington Nationals are no longer just a rebuilding team. They are a contender fighting for a playoff spot, and after proving they could thrive without Curtis Mead, the conversation around this franchise has completely changed.
On this episode of the Nats Minutecast, we break down why the Nationals have developed the “it” factor, how a 10-run offensive explosion showed this lineup has depth, and why Paul Toboni’s trade deadline decisions could shape the next five years of Nationals baseball.
We discuss:
Why the Nationals proved they are bigger than one player after trading Curtis Mead
How CJ Abrams has transformed into a franchise cornerstone and why trading him should be off the table
Why James Wood, CJ Abrams, and this young lineup are forcing the front office to think differently
The pressure on Paul Toboni to improve the roster while protecting the clubhouse chemistry
Whether Foster Griffin should be moved or become part of a surprise playoff push
The Nationals are one game away from the postseason picture, and the biggest question is no longer whether they are rebuilding.
The question is simple:
Are the Nationals ready to go for it?
Subscribe to the Nats Minutecast for daily Washington Nationals news, analysis, trade deadline coverage, and everything surrounding the future of the franchise.
#Natitude #Nats #MLB

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Washington Nationals are making major moves as the MLB Trade Deadline approaches, and the future of the franchise is coming into focus.
On this episode of Nats Minutecast, Dan Holmi breaks down the Nationals' blockbuster trade of Curtis Mead to the Boston Red Sox for left-handed pitcher Connelly Early, why President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni believes the deal helps Washington both now and in the future, and what it means for the team's surprising playoff push.
Plus, new reports reveal Foster Griffin extension talks have reportedly stalled, raising questions about whether the All-Star left-hander could be the next major Nationals trade chip before the deadline.
The Nationals also responded on the field, crushing the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-7 behind huge performances from CJ Abrams and James Wood, who combined for four home runs. With Washington now just one game out of the National League Wild Card race, the deadline decisions have never mattered more.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.