Foster Griffin is off to the Guardians.
Cleveland acquired the All-Star left-handed pitcher from the Nationals in exchange for minor league pitchers Will Dion, Josh Hartle, Kendeglys Virguez and outfielder prospect Nick Mitchell, the teams confirmed.
Griffin is one of three major moves the 57-56 Guardians made before the trade deadline, also adding outfielder Jo Adell from the Angels and first baseman Nathaniel Lowe from the Reds, in an attempt to catch the American League Central-leading White Sox.
Washington Nationals pitcher Foster Griffin throws a pitch in the third inning against the Atlanta Braves. Mike Zarrilli/UPI/Shutterstock
Griffin will be a free agent after this season when his one-year, $5.5 million contract runs out.
The southpaw has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this year, relying on a cutter-heavy seven-pitch mix rather than speed.
The 31-year-old holds a 3.28 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 3.5 WAR, according to Baseball Reference. While he’s given up 19 home runs in 129⅓ innings, he’s tied for fourth in MLB with 12 wins.
Griffin’s path to becoming a first-time MLB All-Star in 2026 is one for the ages.
Foster Griffin of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch during the fifth inning of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game. Getty Images
After the Royals selected him No. 28 in the 2014 draft, Griffin flamed out, struggling his way through two seasons in the majors.
He was traded to the Blue Jays midway through 2022, but after not finding any rhythm there either, he decided to test the waters in Japan.
Washington Nationals pitcher Foster Griffin throws to an Athletics batter during the first inning. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Griffin quickly became a renowned starter and one of the most dominant pitchers for the Yomiuri Giants. In 2025, he gave up just one home run the entire season.
This offseason, he jumped back in MLB, signing with a Nationals team in desperate need of pitching talent and has surpassed all expectations.
