Nationals Claim Knuckleballer Off Waivers From Blue Jays
Waldron becomes the Nationals' third organization of the season, a whirlwind stretch even by journeyman standards.
A Month Of Constant Movement
The turnover has been relentless.
San Diego designated Waldron for assignment in late July after reinstating right-hander Jeremiah Estrada from the injured list. Toronto claimed him days later, and he made exactly four appearances in a Blue Jays uniform before the wheels came off.
He opened strong, not allowing an earned run across his first two outings against Philadelphia, but a disastrous appearance against Boston, three earned runs on three hits and a walk in just a third of an inning, sent his ERA with Toronto to 10.38.
A rough follow-up outing against Tampa Bay was enough for the Blue Jays to cut him loose again.
The Nationals have made the following roster moves:
— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) August 22, 2026
-Claimed right-handed pitcher Matt Waldron on outright waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.
-Transferred left-handed pitcher Connelly Early to the 60-day Injured List.
His overall 2026 line now sits at a 7.54 ERA across 37 innings split between the Padres and Blue Jays.
Washington Is Still Willing To Take A Look
The topline numbers are rough, but Waldron's underlying metrics tell a slightly different story.
His 4.11 SIERA suggests real bad luck has been part of the problem, with a .361 opponents' batting average on balls in play and a 59.4 percent strand rate that are both working against him. His 5.9 percent walk rate remains very strong, especially notable for a pitcher who leans on a knuckleball, though he isn't missing many bats this year with an 18.3 percent strikeout rate, down from the 20.3 percent he posted across three seasons in San Diego from 2023 to 2025.
Waldron is the only active knuckleball pitcher in the majors, and Washington's own Mark Zuckerman noted he's actually throwing the pitch less often now than he did with the Padres, even though it remains his primary offering.
ROSTER MOVE:
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 22, 2026
🔹 RHP Matt Waldron has been claimed off waivers by the Nationals pic.twitter.com/FoDT4s4COk
Washington, mired in a tailspin with eight losses in its last ten games and sitting 14.5 games back in the NL East, is exactly the kind of club with real incentive to see what a change of scenery can do.
Waldron figures to work in a swingman role for the Nationals, covering innings out of the bullpen or spotting into the rotation over the season's final five weeks.
Waldron made his MLB debut with the Padres in 2023 and started 26 of 27 appearances during a full 2024 season in San Diego's rotation, posting a 4.91 ERA across 146.2 innings, evidence he can handle a real workload if the results start trending back in his favor.
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