The Washington Nationals picked up consecutive wins for the first time in two weeks after clinching the series against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, moving to 10-6 on the road this season. While the Nationals are now one of just five teams with double digit road wins to begin the 2026 regular season, they're also working through a number of injuries to the pitching staff after the team announce several moves on Sunday morning.
The Nationals announced that closer Clayton Beeter has been placed on the 15 day injured list, retroactive to Thursday, April 23, due to right forearm soreness. It marks a notable absence for Washington with Cole Henry already sidelined with a rotator cuff strain and on the 15 day injured list since April 13.
In ten games this season, Beeter owns a 3.48 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with four earned runs and five hits allowed across just 10.1 innings.
"It's not quite like we're just playing baseball. There's a lot more intangibles involved."Clayton Beeter, who briefly played in New York, explains what it's like to play for the Yankees. pic.twitter.com/f0dyljM5pg
With Beeter sidelined, the Nationals turned to Paxton Schultz, one of two players called up on Sunday, in the series clinching win against the Chicago White Sox. Schultz allowed one hit and tossed a pair of strikeouts to pick up the save in the tenth inning win, helping Washington move to 3-3 in extra inning games this season.
It marked the second stint in the big leagues for Schultz, who already pitched in eight innings earlier in the month though allowed at least one earned run in each of his final three outings. Schultz entered Sunday with a 4.50 ERA with seven strikeouts, including four against the Pirates in an eventual 16-5 loss.
Taxi squad ➡️ taxi ride ➡️ Major League moundPaxton Schultz’s journey to the Majors was a wild ride! pic.twitter.com/nLYHb9ScBK
The Nationals also called up Andre Granillo on Sunday, adding another possible arm to the bullpen for the second time this season.
In five appearances this season, Granillo owns a 12.46 ERA with just one strikeout to six hits allowed in 4.1 innings. He allowed at least one earned run in four of his five appearances in 2026, though his latest stint will give him a chance to turn the page and provide much needed relief out of the bullpen.
With the Nationals enjoying an off day on Monday, they will return to action on Tuesday to kick off a three game series against the New York Mets with first pitch set for 7:10 PM. Zack Littell is set to take the mound on Tuesday with Cade Cavalli set for Wednesday and Miles Mikolas on Thursday.