Nationals DFA Slugger With .276 Career Batting Average

February 28, 2025

The Washington Nationals designated outfielder Stone Garrett for assignment to clear a roster spot for closer Kyle Finnegan, who re-signed on a one-year, $6 million deal. 

Garrett, 29, played just two major league games in 2024 while recovering from a broken left leg suffered in August 2023. He spent most of last season at Triple-A Rochester, where he hit .249/.348/.333 with a 30.2% strikeout rate. 

Despite those struggles, Garrett has a career .276/.341/.492 batting line with 14 home runs in 118 MLB games, showing solid power against left-handed pitching. "He’s got talent, but we’ve got a pretty full outfield right now," a Nationals source told MASN Sports.

Garrett played well for Washington in 2023 before his injury, posting a .269/.343/.457 line with nine homers over 89 games. 

After missing most of 2024, he returned briefly in September, going 3-for-5 with a home run in a short call-up. With the Nationals committed to a young outfield featuring top prospects James Wood, Dylan Crews, and Jacob Young, Garrett became the odd man out. 

Alex Call, a right-handed hitter like Garrett, remains on the roster as depth, leaving no clear path for Garrett to win a spot in spring training. His power and athleticism kept him in the mix, but concerns over his injury recovery and high strikeout rate factored into the decision.

Now in DFA limbo, Garrett could be traded within five days or placed on outright waivers, where another team may claim him. 

If he clears, he could remain with the Nationals in Triple-A, but his skill set may attract teams seeking outfield depth or a right-handed platoon bat.

Photo Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

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