Nationals Sign Zach Penrod to Minor League Contract

The Washington Nationals and left-handed reliever Zach Penrod have agreed to a minor league contract, according to reports from January 19, 2026. If he makes the major league roster,Penrod will earn a rate of $800,000,slightly above the league minimum.

A Familiar Face for the nats’ Bullpen

the nationals are adding a lefty arm to a bullpen with plenty of chance.

• Penrod, a former Boston Red sox farmhand, appeared in seven games for the red Sox in 2024.
• Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni previously served as an assistant general manager for Boston.
• Washington’s bullpen is largely unproven, creating a potential path to the majors for the 28-year-old.

Penrod is no stranger to the Nationals’ new baseball operations leader. Paul Toboni was an assistant general manager with the Red Sox when Penrod made seven appearances for Boston in 2024. In those outings, the southpaw pitched four innings, allowing two earned runs while issuing five free passes (four walks and one hit batter) and recording three strikeouts.

Did you know? – The Nationals’ bullpen situation is unusually open for a major league team. Only one reliever has more than two years of service time, and even that player has spent significant time on the injured list.

The Red sox designated Penrod for assignment last May following a trade that sent Rafael Devers elsewhere.Boston acquired Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison in the deal, necessitating a roster move. penrod was subsequently traded to the Los angeles Dodgers for cash considerations. He spent six weeks on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster but did not appear in a big league game before becoming a free agent via waivers in August.

Penrod’s most recent performance came in Triple-A, where he struggled, posting an earned run average of nearly eight runs per nine innings over 33 1/3 innings pitched. Command issues plagued him, as he walked over 20% of the batters he faced. Despite these challenges, the 28-year-old possesses a three-pitch mix – fastball, slider, and changeup – that caught the attention of the Nationals, and he consistently throws around 95 MPH.

Reader question – Do you think a change of scenery and a fresh start with the Nationals could help Penrod regain his form? What role do you see him potentially filling in the bullpen?

What’s the biggest opportunity for Penrod? Washington’s bullpen is remarkably open, with only right-handed reliever Julian Fernandez having more than two years of MLB service time-and most of his time has been spent on the injured list (10 career appearances).

Every reliever currently on Washington’s 40-man roster has minor league options remaining, except for Rule 5 pick Griff McGarry, who must remain on the MLB roster. This creates a significant opportunity for minor league free agents like Penrod to compete for a spot in the Nationals’ bullpen.

Clarification of Changes & How Questions are Answered:

* Why: The Nationals signed Zach Penrod to address a need for left-handed relief pitching and because of his familiarity with their new baseball operations leader, Paul Toboni. The bullpen is largely unproven, creating an opportunity.
* Who: Zach Penrod, a left-handed reliever, signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. Paul Toboni, Nationals’ president of baseball operations, previously worked with Penrod in boston.
* what: The Washington Nationals signed Zach Penrod to a minor league contract with a potential $800,000 salary if he