Get ready, D.C. sports fans—there's a new four-legged star in town. The Washington Nationals are introducing their official team dog, Natty, an 8-week-old golden retriever/Labrador retriever mix, who will make his big-league debut this Friday against the Baltimore Orioles.

This isn't just a cute addition to the dugout. The Nationals announced back in March that they were bringing a puppy on board, and fans voted to name him Natty. His role goes beyond game-day mascot duties: Natty will attend select home games, participate in community events, and undergo 18 months of professional training alongside team staff and players. The ultimate goal? To become a service dog for someone with a disability, thanks to partnerships with Canine Companions and Eukanuba.

The pup has already been getting acclimated to his new home. Social media posts from Monday show Natty running around Nationals Park and getting some well-deserved pets from players, with the stadium's electronic banner reading, "Welcome, Natty!"

Friday's game promises to be a double dose of fun. Not only will fans witness Natty's official debut, but the first 20,000 attendees will also snag a hot dog-themed hat as part of the team's "Hot Dog Day" celebration. The Nationals are leaning into the theme, joking that it'll be "a bad day to be a hot dog at Nationals Park" amid the "glitzy madness."

First pitch between the Nationals and Orioles is set for 6:45 p.m. EDT in Washington, D.C. For those who can't make it to the ballpark, you can follow Natty's journey on Instagram at natspup and on X at natspup_. Whether you're there for the baseball, the hot dogs, or the adorable pup, it's shaping up to be a memorable night at Nationals Park.